NAUGATUCK — Maria A. Freire, 97, widow of Henrique Freire, died peacefully on Aug. 1, 2024, in the VITAS Inpatient Hospice Care Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital, with loving family by her side.
Maria was born Feb. 13, 1927 in Monte, Murtosa, Portugal, the daughter of her late mother, Benvinda das Flores DaSilva and her stepfather, Joao Aresta. Maria immigrated to the United States in 1945 and became a naturalized citizen.
She lived in Naugatuck for almost 80 years and worked for 33 years at the footwear division of Uniroyal Inc. before retiring. Maria was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Clube Uniao Portuguesa in Naugatuck, and a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who especially adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her eagerness to keep an active lifestyle gave her the nickname “Hot to trot” with countless laps around the Naugatuck High School track for more than 20 years. Her creative ingenuity left a lasting legacy, inspiring the next generation of her family.
Maria is survived by her son, John Freire and his wife Barbara Freire; her daughter, Isabel Freire Szalapski and her husband Eugene Szalapski; her grandchildren, Christina Moher and her husband Mark Moher, and Abel H. Rodrigues and his wife Nicole Rodrigues; her great-grandchildren, Olivia Moher, Collin Moher, Abel P. Rodrigues and Niko H. Rodrigues; her niece, Julie Cunha and her husband Joe Cunha.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Maria was predeceased by her infant son, Carlos Henrique Freire; her brothers, Antonio and Carlos Amador; her nephew, Joe DaSilva; and cousins whom she was raised with, Joao, Carlos, and Domingos Rendeiro (Venezuela).
Maria’s family would like to sincerely thank her caregiver, Gloria Dias, and the entire VITAS Hospice Team for the excellent care and support that they provided.
A Mass of Christian Burial was to be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Everyone attending Mass was kindly asked to please meet directly at the church. Burial was to follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours were to be Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Maria’s memory, donations are requested to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck, CT 06770.
To leave an online condolence, please visit buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
