Mary C. Dias

Middletown, RI - Mary De Costa Dias, passed away on May 7, 2009 at Newport Hospital. She was 90 and would have been 91 on May 19, 2009.She was born in Newport. She was the wife of the late Arthur C. Dias for 66 years and was the daughter of Antone and Georgiana Pacheco De Costa.Mary is survived by her daughter Mary Ann Gamer of Middletown, son Col. USA-RET James F. Dias and his wife Patricia of Newport, Joanne Donnelly of Newport and John Dias of Riverside. She also leaves brothers Edmund, Joseph and William De Costa and her sister Gilda De Costa. She also leaves eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur C. Dias, her son Arthur Junior Dias, her brothers Anthony and Jesse De Costa and her sister Alice De Costa Massed.She was a communicant of Jesus Saviour Church, a member of the Rosary Sodality, Catholic Daughters of America, De La Salle Mothers Club, Portuguese American Womens Civic League, Holy Ghost Feast Committee, Vasco Da Gamma Holy Ghost Society and the Edward King Senior Center. Mary was devoted to her family and the Portuguese community of Newport. She was known for her culinary skills especially her Portuguese soup, rice pudding and soupish served at the Holy Ghost Feast. Mary and her husband Arthur were instrumental in resurrecting the Holy Ghost Feast at Jesus Saviour Church after World War II. They were also responsible for starting the annual Christmas Dinner for senior citizens at Jesus Saviour Church. Mary cooked for many charity events within the Portuguese community. VaVoa Mary as she was lovingly called by family and close friends was a dear friend to all of them. Mary, her late sister Alice Massed and her sister Gilda De Costa spent many years caring for their mother Georgiana who passed away at the age of 101. When Georgiana passed, Mary became the matriarch of the family. Her funeral will be held on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 9:00 am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Jesus Saviour Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2009, from 4-7pm, in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vasco da Gama Holy Ghost Society, 15 Fenner Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.