In Memory of
Mary E.
Arruda (Fleming)
Arruda (Fleming)
2017
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Gaffney - Dolan Funeral Home
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Obituary for Mary E. Arruda (Fleming)
On January 23rd in the arms of her grandchild and surrounded by her loved ones, Mary (Maggie) Arruda was transferred to heaven, escorted by her beloved niece Robin to be embraced by her Lord and spiritual family and friends who predeceased her.
Her spirit now lives on in the hearts of her children, Ruth (Rudie) Beers, Thomas Arruda and Kim, Cheryl Holden and Peter, Mark Arruda and Wendy, Barbara Thayer and Susan Cordeiro, her daughters by choice; her nine grandchildren, Justin, Erin, James, Abby, Austin, Adam, Jessica, Nolan and Gavin and her twelve great grandchildren, Sophia and Phoebe Buck, Anya and Ella Andrade, Gage and Sarah McGirr, Delilah and Silas Arruda, Zachery, Madelyn, Allison and Lillian Rogers. She leaves many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
Maggie's love was all encompassing, she was the glue that united a family open to everyone. This tiny, petite lady, through example, taught her family tolerance, understanding, courage in the face of adversity, acceptance, but most of all how to love.
Maggie was born in Brooklyn, New York, eighty-eight years ago, the daughter of Michael and Ruth Fleming. Her family moved to the Mystic area when she was six. She was a 1946 graduate of Stonington High School. Her first job entailed mothering her six younger siblings, John, Ruth, Jessica, James, Roseanne and Vivian due to the death of their mother one week prior to Maggie's high school graduation. Her older brother Michael was in the service at the time. One younger sister, Nora, predeceased her mother. She was married in 1947 for almost fifty years to Anthony (Dubbs) T. Arruda who passed in 1997. She is survived by her sister Vivian Wannacott.
Although Maggie was most proud of her Irish heritage, many will remember her for her Portuguese Sweet Bread, her pop over rolls and her beautiful wedding cakes and other baked goods sold at the Sugar and Spice Shop in Stonington Village. She honed her Portuguese cooking skills under the tutelage of her beloved mother-in-law, Wilhelmina (Ma) Arruda who resided with her and Dubbs until her death. Maggie went to work at Harvey Hubble after her children were grown until they closed. She was a member of the Portuguese Holy Ghost Auxiliary for sixty-eight years and their Treasurer for almost fifty. She was an avid reader and bowler and participated in WBA national tournaments across the country. She loved bingo, playing cards, and playing the slots. But most of all, she loved watching UCONN girls play basketball. For Christmas this year, she received an autographed UCONN basketball which made her final days complete.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 5-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Funeral Liturgy will take place on Friday at 1:30pm at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main Street, Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stonington. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society Member’s Scholarship Fund, 26 Main Street, Stonington, CT 06378 in Maggie’s memory. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
Her spirit now lives on in the hearts of her children, Ruth (Rudie) Beers, Thomas Arruda and Kim, Cheryl Holden and Peter, Mark Arruda and Wendy, Barbara Thayer and Susan Cordeiro, her daughters by choice; her nine grandchildren, Justin, Erin, James, Abby, Austin, Adam, Jessica, Nolan and Gavin and her twelve great grandchildren, Sophia and Phoebe Buck, Anya and Ella Andrade, Gage and Sarah McGirr, Delilah and Silas Arruda, Zachery, Madelyn, Allison and Lillian Rogers. She leaves many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.
Maggie's love was all encompassing, she was the glue that united a family open to everyone. This tiny, petite lady, through example, taught her family tolerance, understanding, courage in the face of adversity, acceptance, but most of all how to love.
Maggie was born in Brooklyn, New York, eighty-eight years ago, the daughter of Michael and Ruth Fleming. Her family moved to the Mystic area when she was six. She was a 1946 graduate of Stonington High School. Her first job entailed mothering her six younger siblings, John, Ruth, Jessica, James, Roseanne and Vivian due to the death of their mother one week prior to Maggie's high school graduation. Her older brother Michael was in the service at the time. One younger sister, Nora, predeceased her mother. She was married in 1947 for almost fifty years to Anthony (Dubbs) T. Arruda who passed in 1997. She is survived by her sister Vivian Wannacott.
Although Maggie was most proud of her Irish heritage, many will remember her for her Portuguese Sweet Bread, her pop over rolls and her beautiful wedding cakes and other baked goods sold at the Sugar and Spice Shop in Stonington Village. She honed her Portuguese cooking skills under the tutelage of her beloved mother-in-law, Wilhelmina (Ma) Arruda who resided with her and Dubbs until her death. Maggie went to work at Harvey Hubble after her children were grown until they closed. She was a member of the Portuguese Holy Ghost Auxiliary for sixty-eight years and their Treasurer for almost fifty. She was an avid reader and bowler and participated in WBA national tournaments across the country. She loved bingo, playing cards, and playing the slots. But most of all, she loved watching UCONN girls play basketball. For Christmas this year, she received an autographed UCONN basketball which made her final days complete.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 5-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A Funeral Liturgy will take place on Friday at 1:30pm at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main Street, Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stonington. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society Member’s Scholarship Fund, 26 Main Street, Stonington, CT 06378 in Maggie’s memory. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
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