FALL RIVER – Maria Merces (Aguiar) Goncalves, age 95 of Fall River, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022 at St. Anne's Hospital with her family by her side. Born in Santo Antonio Alem Capelas, São Miguel, Azores, Maria was the beloved wife of the late Guilherme Goncalves and the daughter of the late Antonio Daniel Aguiar and the late Maria Merces (Sousa) Aguiar.

Prior to retiring, Maria worked as a machine operator for SAN-TORO Mfg. in Fall River. She was a parishioner of St. Michael's Church and a member of the Holy Rosary Society. Maria was a hardworking mother helping to raise her 8 children along with her husband. She then got to enjoy her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom brought her great joy and happiness.

Maria leaves behind her children: George Gonsalves (wife Fatima) of Somerset, Joseph G. Gonsalves (wife Bertha) of Somerset, Lydia Gonsalves of Fall River, Alfred Gonsalves (wife Leonore) of Tiverton, William Anthony Gonsalves (wife Zelia) of Fall River, Gilbert Gonsalves (wife Pauline) of Fall River, & Augustine Gonsalves of Fall River; her sister: Maria Otilia Aguiar of Sao Miguel, Azores; 7 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews. Maria was the mother of the late Elvira Cordeiro and the sister of the late Antonio Aguiar, Jaime Aguiar, Joao Daniel Aguiar, Maria Conceicao Perreira, Gilberto Aguiar, Augustine Aguiar, Hilda Furtado, & Inez Fravica.

Maria's funeral will take place from the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St., Fall River on Monday, Aug. 1 ^st with a Funeral Mass in St. Michael's Church at 10:00 A.M. Please go directly to Church. Interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fall River. Calling hours on Sunday, July 31 ^st from 5-7 P.M. To offer words of sympathy to the family, please go to www.rogersfuneral.com .