Maria H. Paralta, 94
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Maria H. Paralta, 94, formerly of 38 Third St., died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility.
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 8, 1921, a daughter of Joaquim and Encarnacao Rodrigues Amaral, her family moved to Portugal when she was 6 and she attended schools there. She emigrated to the United States in 1957.
Mrs. Paralta was employed at the former St. Luke's Hospital and then later at Berkshire Medical Center in the laundry department for 25 years, retiring in 1984.
She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and a former member of the Portuguese American Club.
Her husband, Jose A. Paralta, whom she married on Sept. 25, 1943, died on Nov. 30, 1992.
She leaves her two sons, Mario Paralta and his wife, Barbara, of Seminole, Fla., and Anthony Paralta and his wife, Cynthia, of Cape Cod; her daughter, Maria Paralta Giannopolo and her husband, Joseph, of Pittsfield; her three sisters, Maria Goncalves and Silvina Gouveia, both of Fall River, and Amelia Giannopolo of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, Adam Paralta and his wife, Becky, Susan England and her husband, Mark, Sandra Tufts and her husband, David, Michael Giannopolo and his wife, Robyn, Nancy Johnson and her husband, Mark, Diane Matheus and her husband, David, and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Silvana and Ascencao Almeida.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mrs. Paralta will take place Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 8 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 9 at St. Joseph's Church, 414 North St., with the Rev. Monsignor Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Monday, Feb. 1, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Church or Elder Services in care of the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility for their kindness, love & support shown to Maria. The family is eternally grateful.