Published in the May 16, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Philomena F. Lopes, 87, of Wakefield died on Thursday, May 12, at the Wingate in Reading surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Newfoundland, Canada on Aug. 8, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Bartholomew and Catherine (Kilfoy) Walsh.
Mrs. Lopes was the wife of the late Joseph Vincent Lopes. She is survived by her four daughters: Catherine Ann Smith and her husband Dale of North Reading, Donna Smith and her husband Richard of Norton, Barbara Lopes-Murray and her husband Arthur “Skip” Murray of North Reading and Amy Lopes and her partner David Atwater of Wakefield; her son Kevin J. Lopes and his wife Elena of Wakefield. Philomena Lopes is also survived by her six grandchildren: Jill Haladay, Kerrie Haladay, Adriana Lopes, Christian Lopes, Christopher and Holly Ann Smith. Mrs. Lopes was predeceased by her three brothers: Michael Walsh, Luke Walsh and Thomas Walsh and her four sisters: Frances Walsh, Madaline Gaulton, Annie Coady ,Theresa Farrell and cousin and best friend Johanna Doody.
Mrs. Lopes was a graduate of Marystown High School in Newfoundland. She moved to Gloucester at the age of 18 and attended four years of night school and worked a challenging job with disabled children.
Philomena had been a Wakefield resident for over 60 years. She loved to bake, knit, play bingo, shop, attend yard sales but, most of all, Mom loved to spend time with her family and her beloved dog Luke.
Philomena Lopes was a wonderful mother and had the heart of a true saint. Mom was a beautiful and giving person and she will be missed by many.
Her funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday, May 18, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Florence Church, 47 Butler Ave., Wakefield at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Gloucester.
