Dionisia Fatima (Lima) Espinola
"Loving Mother"
LOWELL Dionisia Fatima (Lima) Espinola, 79, of Lowell, died Monday, June 13, 2011, at D’Youville Senior Health Care Center after a brief illness. She was the widow of the late Arlindo S. Espinola who passed away in September of 2010, after Fifty Four years of Marriage.
A daughter of the late Antonio and the late Amelia (Gil) Lima, she was born May 27, 1932, in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, and was educated there. She came to the United States in January of 1960, settling in Lowell’s Back Central Street neighborhood. She worked for Grace Shoe for many years, and later for Garment Manufacturing. She also took care of many children for the remainder of her working years.
She dedicated a lot of her time crocheting for her beloved St. Anthony's Church. Along with her husband she was a member of the St. Anthony's Church Choir, she was member of the Holy Rosary Sodiality, the Holy Ghost Society, and enjoyed St. Anthony's Feasts very much. She was also a part of the Portuguese American Center (Blues Club), Blue's Senior Group, and she also participated in folkloric dance. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and camping; all with her children and grandchildren. That was her favorite past time.
She is survived by her daughter, Denise Melo and her husband Isalino, of Lowell; her son, Tony Espinola and his wife, Tracy, of Lowell; her six grandchildren, Keith, Derek, Ashley, who is also her Goddaughter, Matthew, Jacob, and Joshua; her other God Children, Jonathan Espinola and his wife, Maria, of Miami, FL, Lee Teles of Tewksbury, and Aurelindo Cunha and his wife, Isabel, of Hampton Falls, NH; her sisters in law, Maria G. Lima of Lowell, Quelminda "Kay" and her husband Normand Lavesque of Melbourne, FL, and Urbina ‘Mary’ Champagne of Lowell; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was also the sister of the late Antonino Lima; daughter in law of the late Manuel and Estefania Espinola, aunt of the late Mario Lima; and was predeceased by many brothers and sisters in law, aunts, uncles, and nephews.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15. ON THURSDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HER NAME TO AMERICAN HEART ASSOC., FOUNDERS AFFILIATE, P O BOX 417005, BOSTON MA 02241. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
