Maria Pereira, known affectionately as Elmira, was a beacon of resilience, a woman of incredible strength who held her family together in the face of any adversity.

Born on April 8, 1952, in São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, Maria was a picture of generosity and compassion, a living testament to the power of love and kindness. Her journey from her birthplace to her longtime home in Fall River, Massachusetts, was marked with challenges that she overcame with grace and resilience, always maintaining her loving spirit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Maria Travassos.

In a world that often prioritizes self-interest, Maria was a gentle reminder of the joy of giving. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her loved ones, her face always lighting up at the sight of her husband, Antonio Pereira, her daughter, Kimberly, her niece, Jennifer Vieira, and her nephews, Jaiden and Julian Pabon.

Maria's home was a sanctuary of love, filled with the soft clinking of crochet needles, the warm scent of homemade meals, and the echo of laughter. Her strength kept the family together, her compassion was their guiding light, and her love was their anchor. Maria, in the words of Maya Angelou, was a woman who "stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails."

Maria's life was a testament to the power of love. Despite her medically disabled status, she never let it define her. Instead, she chose to spread joy and love, making her home a haven for those who were lucky enough to know her.

Maria leaves behind not just a void that will never be filled, but an indelible legacy of love, resilience, and generosity that will be carried forward by those she touched. She is survived by her husband Antonio, daughter Kimberly, niece Jennifer, and nephews Jaiden and Julian.

Friends and Family are cordially invited to attend a public visitation which will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Southcoast Funeral Home inside of the Ferreira Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Parish. The committal service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery.

As we bid farewell to our beloved Maria, we celebrate the love she shared, the strength she demonstrated, and the life she lived so fully.

In honor of Maria's life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos of her to the memorial page. She touched many lives and her spirit will continue to live on through the stories and remembrances shared by those who loved her.

The funeral home offers a lighted parking lot which is available on the corner of Boutwell and Pleasant Street, (opposite corner of the funeral home) and the facility has a handicap-accessible ramp and entrance.

Services are humbly entrusted into the care of Southcoast Funeral Homes at Ferreira Chapel "Celebrating A Life Well Lived"