Mary Rose (Fernandes) Fontes, 86, Onset, Massachusetts

Mary was born on January 12, 1938, one of 15 children to the late Benjamin and Inez (Santos) Fernandes. She passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024.

Mary graduated from Wareham High School, and worked in the food service industry for over 40 years. She was the Lead Chef and Kitchen Manager at the Roland Thatcher Nursing Home and for 20 years was the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Wareham Public Schools.

Upon retirement, Mary enjoyed being with her family. She delighted in spending time with her many nieces, nephews and godchildren, and she made frequent trips to Connecticut to dote on her beloved grandchildren, Lily and Walter.

Mary was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church in Onset and was proud to serve as a Eucharistic minister for St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s parish for many years. She pursued many hobbies including painting, drawing, ceramics, knitting, reading and traveling.  Her travel brought her to Jamaica, Lisbon, China, Hong Kong and numerous European countries.

In 2006 she was diagnosed with a benign, but life-altering brain tumor that limited some of her abilities, but she continued to find joy and laughter through the diligence and love of her son, Ben. Her niece, Denise provided loving assistance getting Mary to her numerous medical appointments, and the family is truly grateful for the tender day-to-day care from her caregiver Rosa and husband, Manny. Neighbors who looked in on her, and the family and friends who visited Mary brought life and light to her days. 

She is survived by her son, Benjamin and his wife, Lynne (Myers) and two grandchildren, Lily and Walter, all of Hamden, CT; her sisters: Janet Filkins of West Wareham, Sheila Gordon of Randolph, and Minniet (Hugh) Pilgrim of Wareham; her sister-in-law: Rose Fernandes of New Bedford.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers/sisters-in-law: John (Sylvena), Frank (Kazuko), Benjamin (Diana), Amos (Charlotte), William (Sharon), Nicholas (Eugenia), Earl and Thomas; her sisters/brothers-in-law: Beverly, Hope, Isabelle (Peter Fernandes), William Filkins and Glossie Gordon.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Route 28), Wareham on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 3 – 5 PM.  Her funeral will be from the funeral home on Monday, August 26^th at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Mission Church, Onset

Avenue, Onset at 10 AM. Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Tihonet Road, Wareham. Repast at the Benjamin D. Brown VFW Post, 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road, East Wareham.

In Mary’s memory, contributions can be made to Wareham Tigers Athletic Association, PO Box 538, West Wareham, MA 02576 - or-  to Mary’s Memorial page at

https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/fundraiser/5704004

For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com