Maria da Luz (Raposo) Bita

NEW BEDFORD: Maria da Luz Bita, 93, passed away peacefully on August 05, 2022, at Alden Court, Fairhaven. She was born in September 08, 1928, in Ponta Delgada, St. Michael, Azores to Manuel and Mimi Chadinha. At the end of World War II, she met a soldier named Casimiro F. Bita, who was serving in the Portuguese Army and would later become her loving husband. The married in 1947. In 1960, they migrated to America with their three young daughters, Maria da Luz and Casimiro spent 51 devoted years together until his demise in 1998.

Known as a soft spoken kindhearted and generous woman who would often put the needs of others above her own. She was a religious person who loved spending time with family and friends, cooking, and tending to her garden. Maria da Luz was energetic woman who kept an immaculate house. She didn't believe in sitting around and was always looking for something physical to do including going on amazingly long walks at an age well into her eighties. 

She enjoyed baking her delicious, sweet breads and Portuguese biscotti.

Vavo, as she was called by her grandchildren, happily played a significant role in raising all of them and she never missed a chance to babysit as it presented an opportunity to teach them a little Portuguese.

She is survived by her daughter Suzette Medeiros and her husband David of Acushnet, daughter Maura Simmons of Oregon, granddaughters Sheri Lopes, Jennifer Houde and husband Ron of Acushnet, grandsons Aaron Mimoso and fiancé Karina of Florida, Blake Simmons and wife Deb of Plymouth, JB Simmons of Oregon, and son-in-law Joe Mimoso of Florida. 

Also survived by great granddaughters Amanda Lopes of Rhode Island, Emmerson Houde and Ellia Houde of Acushnet, great-grandsons Darien Mimoso of Florida, Nolan Simmons of Plymouth, nephews John Raposo, Mario Chadinha and Nelson Raposo, niece Dee Martin.

She also predeceased by daughter Isabel Mimoso, granddaughter Britney Simmons, great-grandson Tristan Lopes, brothers Serafim Raposo and wife Inezia, and Lionel Chadinha and wife Adriana.

Our family thanks all the hard-working angels at Alden Court Cooke Unit for the wonderful care, support, and love giving to Mom over the past five years. And a special thanks to Pricilla who was like family to us, and to Kevin who always had a hug for my Mom and affectionately called Vavo. And thank you to everyone at Beacon Hospice Care for all their support as well.

Funeral services and burial are private. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Cabral Baylies Square-Lamoureux Funeral Home, 512 No. Front Street, New Bedford.

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