Maria Amaral Obituary

Maria A. Amaral, 89, of Osterville, died October 11, 2025 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Joseph F. Amaral, 92, to whom she was married for 66 years, and the daughter of the late Jose and Maria (de Medeiros) Mello.

Born in Ponta Garça, São Miguel, Azores, on August 15, 1936, Maria lived a very humble life with her parents and 4 siblings – John, Joseph, Angelina, and Adelino (Dino). The family had tremendous love, but they were very poor. In an effort to build a better life for their family, Maria's parents sent her to the United States at age 17 to work and save enough money to move her family to the United States. Maria worked tirelessly as a seamstress in a factory mill, and after three years, was able to bring her entire family to the U.S, where they settled in New Bedford. In 1959, she married her husband, Joseph, and together they built a wonderful life and family. Maria attended night school to learn how to speak, read, and write English. They moved to Osterville in 1970 where Joseph started and built a very successful landscaping business, Joseph Amaral Landscaping Service, allowing Maria to stay at home and raise their daughters.

Maria was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Assumption in Osterville for decades. She was a faithful, devoted Catholic who prayed the Rosary to our Blessed Mother multiple times every day. She was a member of the Holy Ghost Society of Falmouth. Maria was a consummate homemaker who loved hosting parties and family gatherings during the holidays and on countless other special occasions. She loved cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, ceramics, and making elaborate floral arrangements. Her cooking skills were extraordinary; her knack for creating beautiful floral arrangements and décor were remarkable. Her family and friends loved the warmth and kindness she extended to all and the amazing aromas of exquisite food whenever they visited.

More than anything, Maria loved spending time with and spoiling her four grandchildren. Dan, Nick, Andrew and Sonia have a lifetime of wonderful memories from spending so much time with her and Joseph as they were growing up.

In addition to her husband Joseph, Maria is survived by her daughter, Debra M. Hellwig of Mashpee and her daughter, Paulina M. Reilly and husband David T. Reilly of Mashpee. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Andrew and Sonia Hellwig of Mashpee, and Daniel and Nicholas Reilly of Mashpee. Debra's husband Olgert Hellwig pre-deceased Maria in 2023.

Maria is also survived by her sister Angelina Linhares and husband Frank Linhares of Mashpee and her brother Adelino (Dino) Mello of New Bedford. Maria was predeceased by her brother John Mello of New Bedford, and her brother Joseph Mello of New Bedford.

Visiting hours are from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, John-Lawrence Chapel, 3778 Falmouth Rd, Marstons Mills. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 18th at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Wianno Ave, Osterville, followed by burial at Mosswood Cemetery, Cotuit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beacon Hospice, 68 Center St, Suite 19, Hyannis, MA 02601 and Holy Ghost Society of Falmouth, 408 Carriage Shop Road, East Falmouth, PO Box 2204, Teaticket, MA 02536. Notes of comfort may be made to the family at chapmanfuneral.com.