CUMBERLAND

Alice (dos Santos) Fonseca, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the age of 86.

Born on March 26, 1938, in Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Antonio dos Santos and Maria Alice Zilhao dos Santos.   Alice lived a life marked by devotion to her family, her faith, and her community.

She married the love of her life, Cesar Fonseca, on January 1, 1959, in Portugal. Together, they embarked on a journey to the United States in January 1963, settling in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, before making Cumberland their home in 1978.

Alice was a devoted communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Church, where her faith provided her with strength and comfort throughout her life.

A gifted seamstress, Alice spent much of her life working with her hands, creating beautiful garments and textiles. Her talents extended beyond her profession as she found joy in gardening, cooking, and sewing, often sharing the fruits of her labor with family and friends. In addition to her work as a seamstress, Alice was employed by Crystal Thermal Plastics for nearly a decade. However, her greatest role was that of a caregiver, as she chose to retire early to devote herself entirely to caring for her cherished grandchildren.

Alice's love for her family was immeasurable, and she treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Her warmth and kindness will forever be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Alice is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Cesar Fonseca; her devoted children, Roy Fonseca and his wife Sherry of Cumberland, and Dulce Serpa and her husband David of South Kingstown; her dear sister, Julia Sa, and her husband Mario of Portugal; and her four adored grandchildren, Alicia Serpa, Carissa Nye and her husband Christopher, Blake Fonseca, and Colin Fonseca. She also leaves behind her precious great-grandchild, Grayson Nye, as well as several nieces and nephews. Alice was predeceased by her brother, Fernando dos Santos.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Alice's Life Celebration to be held with Visiting Hours on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 4 to 7 PM and continue on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 10 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM in the Our Lady of Fatima Church, Cumberland.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com