Obituary: Ginette Simone da Silva Duarte

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Ginette Simone da Silva Duarte
Ginette Simone da Silva Duarte

NAUGATUCK — Ginette Simone da Silva Duarte, passed away gently on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at St. Mary’s Hospital VITAS Unit.

Ginette was born in France on July 8, 1926 to Joao da Silva of Salreu, Portugal and Anna Ahusborde of Gotein, France. Hers was a long and varied life that began in Paris, France where she spent her early years before her father returned the family to his home village in Portugal. She spent the next years there with her father and brother, John da Silva before she went to the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal to make her way in the world. Spending over a decade there working a variety of jobs she ultimately met the love of her life, Filipe C. Duarte, while they were both studying nursing at Escola Superior de Enfermagem Artur Ravara at hospital dos Capuchos.

Upon marrying in 1954, they made their way to Naugatuck where they lived, worked, had a business and raised their only son Philip Duarte. Ginette will be fondly remembered by all those who had the pleasure of her infectious laugh, sharp wit and passion for life. She was a mother, a wife and a force of nature.

Ginette is survived by her husband, Filipe of 59 years; her son, Philip; her brother, John da Silva and his wife, Diamantina, and their daughters, Helena Sousa, Rose Cardoso and Louise Faneca; her brother-in-law, Jorge Fernando C. Vergueiro, and her cousin, Helen Pourchet.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin St., Waterbury. Please meet directly at the church at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. There are no calling hours. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck, is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.