Maria Zulmira Martins, 74, of Chepachet, RI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 7, 2025, wrapped in the love of her family. She was the cherished wife of Jose Martins, with whom she shared 53 beautiful years of devoted marriage.

Born on December 18, 1950, in Faial, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose Ignacio Sousa and Ana Rodrigues DaSilveira Sousa. Maria immigrated to the United States in 1953, settling in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence. She later lived in Pawtucket for almost 20 years before making her home in Lincoln and, most recently, in Chepachet. Maria and her beloved husband cherished their winters as snowbirds in Florida.

Maria was the heart of her family—steady, loving, and endlessly selfless. She was a dedicated worker and held several positions throughout her life, including serving as a fiscal clerk for the City of Pawtucket, an office assistant for Drs. Kuhar and Gibbons, and most memorably, as a school bus aide for special needs children at Laidlaw Inc., a role she found incredibly meaningful.

A woman of unwavering faith, she was a communicant of St. Ambrose Church in Lincoln and formerly of St. Mary's Church in Pawtucket. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life: reading, shopping trips with her daughters and granddaughters, and Friday lunches with her girlfriends. Living on Echo Lake, she especially cherished boat rides and the serenity of the lake where she found peace and joy. Her greatest pride, however, was her family.  Her children and grandchildren brought her endless happiness.

She leaves behind her three loving daughters, who will forever carry her spirit in their hearts: Melissa Jarvis and her husband Jason of Chepachet, Audrey Martins and her husband Ryan of Titusville, FL, and Susan Pimental and her husband Joseph of North Smithfield. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Jamison Jarvis, Jaydon Jarvis, Hannah Pimental, and Grace Pimental, as well as many grand-doggies who brought her smiles and snuggles.

Maria is also survived by her dear sister, Mary (Maria) Pavao of Warwick, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two cherished brothers, Joseph Sousa and Francisco Sousa, whom she held close in her heart.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to celebrate Maria's beautiful life, with Visiting Hours on Monday, August 11, 2025 from 4 to 8 PM and will continue on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM in the St. Mary's Church, Pine Street, Pawtucket.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.

In honor of Maria's strength and her courageous fight against endometrial cancer, the family invites you to wear a touch of peach.  She was loved tremendously by all and will be missed dearly.  Maria's legacy of love, kindness, and grace will live on in all who had the joy of knowing her.

ONLINE MEMORIAL: jjduffyfuneralhome.com