Ophelia Moniz

Ophelia (Canario) Moniz, 88, of Grant St., Fall River, MA, passed away on January 1, 2012 at the Clifton Rehabilitative Nursing Center in Somerset, MA. She was the beloved wife of 61 years to the late John Moniz, Jr.

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Manuel daSilva Canario and Leocadia (Ventura); she spent her childhood and adolescence living in Rabo de Peixe, St. Michael, Azores, returning to Fall River in 1941.

She was employed by the former Firestone Rubber Co. during World War II, and then managed the former London's Gift Shop downtown Fall River until 1963. She then became area department manager at the former Zayre Department Store until her retirement in 1983.

She was a communicant of Santo Christo Church where she proudly served as Eucharistic Minister at the 6 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass, lector at morning Mass, and member of the Holy Rosary Sodality.

Ophelia is survived by her beloved son, John Barry Moniz of Fall River; 2 beloved sisters, Elda Amaral (Husband George) of Somerset and Natalia Litos (Husband Anthony) of Bradenton, Florida; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late John Canario of Prudence Island, R.I.

Her funeral will be held Friday at 9 a.m. from the Oliveira Funeral Home, 215 Columbia St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Santo Christo Church. Interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Calling hours Thursday 5-8 p.m. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of the Clifton Rehabilitative Nursing Center for the excellent and loving care afforded Ophelia over the past several months.