Maria C. Andre

Maria C. Andre1935-2015AGAWAM- Maria da Conceição Ribeiro Andre, 80, faithful servant of Christ and beloved wife, mother,  grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend was born into eternal life on September 5, 2015, peacefully at home in Agawam surrounded by the love of her family after a heroic battle with cancer beginning seven years ago. Born July 30, 1935, in Bairro de Santa Maria, Province of Obidos, Portugal, she was a talented pottery artist and seamstress, receiving a diploma in 1957 from Escola de Corte, Costura e Bordados in Portugal. Upon immigrating to Chicopee in 1960, Maria was employed at Carter's, Inc., in Springfield. She retired from Spalding's basketball and golfball operations, then headquartered in Chicopee, after 28 years.  She was a Communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Patrick's Church, Chicopee, until its closing, and continued in this ministry for many years at St. Anne's Church, Chicopee, where she was also a member of the Sodality-Guild. Maria was an Associate of the Marie Rivier Association, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in Methuen, for 16 years; an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister for Bay State Medical Spiritual Services, Springfield, for 16 years; and a member of the Agawam/West Springfield Nocturnal Adoration Society. Maria was predeceased by her parents, Joaquim and Inoçencia Ribeiro, sister, Alice Ribeiro, brother, Frank Ribeiro, and beloved husband of 47 years, Antonio Andre. She is survived by three children Madaline M. Andre and husband David Lessard of Alexandria, VA; Georgette M. Andre and partner Ernie Barker of Springfield; and David R. Andre of Boston. In addition, Maria leaves behind four beautiful granddaughters Rachel, Jessica, Sophia, and Grace, and cherished sisters Susana Marino and Penny Julio of Springfield, and Madalena Francisco of Chicopee, three nieces, a nephew, and many friends, all who deeply touched her life. Maria's family is deeply grateful to the skilled and caring staff of Mercy Medical Center, especially the nurses of the Mercy Infusion Suite, each one an angel of mercy. Maria leaves her children and grandchildren a powerful legacy of courageously living God's will and always trusting in His merciful love. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 10th beginning at 9AM from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM in St. Patrick's Church, 319 Broadway St. Rites of Committal and burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fuller Road, all in Chicopee.  Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, September 9th from 4-7PM at the funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made in Maria's memory to Marie Joseph Spiritual Center 10 Evans Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 or American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information, please visit Tylunasfuneralhome.com. Tylunas Funeral Home(413)592-0148