Mary Elizabeth Lopez

Middletown, RI - Mary Elizabeth Lopez, 93, a life-long resident of Middletown, passed away Monday, January 31, 2011 at home. Mary was born on July 7, 1917, she lived in the family home her entire life with the six month exception when she and her husband first married. Mary was predeceased by her husband Jesse G. Lopez, who she met at a USO dance in the 1940s. Mary attended the Witherbee School and Berkeley-Peckham School in Middletown. She was a riveter at the Torpedo Station on Goat Island during World War II; she also worked for Dr. George Carrellas and his family, and in her later years volunteered at the Grand Islander Nursing Facility. Mary loved New England, especially Middletown. She was an avid sports fan, supporting all New England teams. She enjoyed reading, listening to all types of music, playing dominos, laughing, talking on the telephone to her family and friends, and most of all her indepencdence. Mary is survived by two daughters, Joanne Megeath and her husband, Paul of Clermont, FL, Anita Winder of Inverness, FL, two grandchildren, Joshua Campos and his wife Laura, of New York, NY, Katie Winder and her fianc, John Corrao of Oviedo, FL, her sister, Lena Lee Bettencourt of Portsmouth, her brother, Antone Tony Santos and his wife Evelyn, of Middletown, along with many nieces and nephews.Mary was predeceased by her mother, Marie Virginia Braga Santos, her father Joseph Cabral Santos, her brothers Joseph and Manuel Santos, her sisters, Alice Vidinha and Gladys Barry and several nieces and nephews.Mary adored her family and was looking forward to the birth of her first Great grandchild, Zachary Campos, who is expected in mid-February. She will be terribly missed by everyone who knew her.Her funeral will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:00AM, in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport, burial will follow at St. Columbas Catholic Cemetery, Browns Lane, Middltown. Family and friends are cordially invited to join Marys family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Aquidneck Land Trust, 790 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842.