Delphina Souza

Delphina (Oliver) Souza, 88, of Bristol passed away peacefully in Boston, MA on Sunday, December 17, 2023. She was the devoted wife of the late Edward Souza for 38 years before his passing in 1996. Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Sophie (Cabral) Oliver. Delphina worked as an educator for many years with the Fall River Public Schools. She was a member of the Warren and Benjamin Church Senior Centers. Delphina (Del) was a graduate of Rhode Island College and began her teaching career in Barrington Rhode Island before moving to the Fall River school system where she primarily taught kindergarten and first grade for almost 40 years.As a school teacher she created an engaging learning environment using music and stories to inspire and stimulate childrens imaginations.Over the years she taught hundreds of children how to read and write and encouraged them to pursue their interests. Del and her husband Eddie dreamed of retiring together and spending time traveling across the country in their camper. Although her husband passed away before she retired, Dels sense of adventure lived on.Over the course of her retirement, Del traveled to locations across the US, and visited Canada and countries in Europe and the Middle East, exploring the world with her children, grandchildren and with church groups.Not one to let her fears get the best of her, she took hot air balloon and helicopter rides, went white water rafting, ziplining, ice-skating and horse-back riding. Music was also important to her.There was always music playing in her house and she encouraged all her children to play musical instruments.Family car trips were never complete without a host of family sing-a-longs.Del and Eddie also loved to go out dancing.Although waltzes were their favorite genre, they were known to move smoothly across the floor to all kinds of dances. Dels love of her children and grandchildren gave her the greatest pleasure.She would have loved nothing more than to spend all her time with grandkids and her great grandchild.She doted on them, playing, reading stories, entertaining, feeding and loving them.They are her legacy. Delphina is survived by her children: Robyn Souza (Susan Caloggero), Mark Souza (Linda), Karen Thorson, Gail Bennett (Herbert), Glen Souza (Michele Pope); her grandchildren: Gina Dubois (Michael), Andrew Souza, Sophie Morel (John), Ella Bennett, Alexander Souza (Leigh Redmond), Vale Souza, Marisa Waycuilis, Nicholas Waycuilis, Victor Waycuilis; her great grandchild: Dominic Dubois; and many extended family and friends. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband Edward; her parents; and her siblings: Edward Oliver, Gilbert Oliver, and Anthony Oliver. Visiting Hours will be held at Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 4:00 PM 7:00 PM. Her funeral service will start from Sansone Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Marys Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol at 10:00 AM. Delphina will be laid to rest with Edward at Notre Dame Cemetery, Stafford Road, Fall River, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name can be made to the Alzheimers Disease Association- Rhode Island Chapter, 245 Waterman Street Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906 Services Visitation Tuesday December 26, 2023 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 Funeral services from Wednesday December 27, 2023 9:00 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday December 27, 2023 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood St. Bristol, RI Cemetery Notre Dame Cemetery 359 Daggett Avenue Pawtucket, RI 02861