FALL RIVER - Mary Lou (Gomes) Coelho, 62, of Fall River, died peacefully Sunday, June 28, 2009 at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Paulo "Paul" M. Coelho for the last 46 years. She was born, raised and educated in St. Michael Azores, Portugal, the daughter of the late Francisco and Maria dos Santos Gomes and moved to Fall River in 1967. Mary Lou was devoted to her family, loved to cook and go on family vacations, which was quite a task while raising 12 children, but she always made sure they had fun. Tending to her flower gardens, she always made sure her home and yard were beautiful. She was a former member of Our Lady of Health Church and was also quite active with church festivals.
Besides her husband Paul, she leaves four sons, Jeffrey P. Coelho and his wife, Jennifer L. Coelho of Assonet, Robert F. Coelho and Steven Coelho, and his wife Karen Coelho of Fall River, and Douglas A. Coelho and his wife Amy Coelho of Dartmouth; eight daughters, Nellia M. Medeiros of Fall River, Mary Lou Ferreira of Florida, Lucy F. Lezandro of Fall River, Sandra M. Fitzhugh and her husband Stanley Fitzhugh of Wareham, Lisa P. Coelho of New Bedford, and Elizabeth A. Coelho, Jennifer Moniz and her husband Bento J. Moniz, Jr., and Stacey A. Coelho, all of Fall River; three sisters, Eulalia Varao, Olivia Schecter and Encarnacao Viveiros, all of Fall River; 24 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; a great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Maria Januario, Fernanda Cordeiro and Jose Francisco Pedro Gomes.
Her funeral will be held Thursday, July 2 from the Silva-Faria Funeral Home, 730 Bedford St., Fall River, at 8 a.m., with a funeral Mass at 9 a.m., at Santo Christo Church, 185 Canal St., Fall River. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home.