Henriqueta Pires Fernandes (Piguinha), 93, of Brockton, Massachusetts, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Born September 2, 1928 in Lomba, Fogo, Cabo Verde (Registered 10/2/1928). She was the daughter of the late Ludgero Pires (Ruge) and Francisca Pires (Tchica), brothers Jose Pires (deceased) and Domingos Pires (deceased). As the third child and first girl, her mother called her “Nha Rapariguinha” or “My little Lady” which eventually led to her nickname Piguinha.

She married the Henrique Goncalves Fernandes (deceased) on February 26, 1948 and moved to Rufina where they had 8 children; Geraldina Brandao Carvalho, Ludgero Gabriel Fernandes, Diamantino Fernandes (Femio), Angela Fernandes (deceased), Geronimo Fernandes (Ouvidio) (deceased), Frederico Fernandes (deceased), Manuel Fernandes (deceased), Felisberto Fernandes (deceased) and adopted/raised Maria Socorro (Coia). She also had 15 step-children; Daniel Goncalves (deceased), Claudina Correia, Manuel Teixeira, Antonio Teixeira, Eurico Dos Santos, Luisinho Correia, Jose Gomes, Amelia Gomes, Maria DaLuz Gomes, Ana Paula Veira De Andrade, Rosie Alves, Euclides Pontes, Manuel Antonio Gomes, Manuel Antonio, Jose Antonio (deceased). She had 18 grandchildren; Maria Da Luz Brandao Carvalho Tavares (Lolo), Elvira Carvalho Correia (Nene), Joao Pedro Brandao Carvalho (Jota), Henriqueta Carvalho (Tchitchi), Sonia Sofia Carvalho DoCanto, Seila Carvalho, Anselmo Fernandes (Tene) (deceased), Henriqueta Barros (Tchinha), Neusa Faria (Isa), Henrique Fernandes (Djica), Amelia Fernandes, Maria Nisa Fernandes (Sxeila), Frederico Fernandes (Freddy/Lico), Deolinda Fernandes (Dina), Jair Euclides Fernandes, Ze Luis Fernandes, Leila Tatiana Pires, 26 great-grandchildren, Pedro Tavares, Claudio Tavares, Hercilia Tavares Donnelly, Paulo Tavares, Juceila Tavares, Maya Willdan Correia, Benjamin Antonio Carvalho Correia, Jaynicia Carvalho, Niah Luisa Carvalho, Joao Enrique Carvalho, Gerilda Fernandes, Ivana Fernandes, Leonardo Fernandes, Joel DoCanto (deceased), Marcos DoCanto, Lucas DoCanto, Erisa Cardoso, Erikson Cardoso, Jessica Pires, Jessimara Pires, Enikue Barros, Carlos Barros, Isabela Fernandes, Josiah Fernandes, Felisberto Pires, Dailine Fernandes and 8 great-great-grandchildren, Yasmin Tavares, Ayanna Tavares, Claudia Tavares, Claudio Tavares, Erika Gomes, Thomas Donnelly, Isabella Donnelly, Henrique Ramos and countless step-grandchildren, family and friends.

She was widowed in 1984 and moved back to her mother’s house in Lomba until she moved to USA in 1985, where she became a Jehovah’s Witness. As a Jehovah’s Witness she attended congregations multiple times per week and traveled regularly to many destinations and social functions that she had never experienced before. She would remind us that she never earned a penny but she had a good life thanks to her parents, husband and loving family. She also always said “Fazem tudo in bida depos de um morre pode bai badja” or “Treat me well while I’m alive after I die you can go dancing”. She had more friends than anyone I know from her neighbors in Rufina, Lomba and Brockton, fellow Jehovah Witnesses, her many nieces and nephews who visited and called her daily and many friends that she made throughout her life and managed to stay in touch with. She was specially cared for by Tia Beleza and Amariles De Pina (Fefa) who made it possible for her to remain in her home that she enjoyed so much for as long as possible.

Visiting Hours on Sunday, September 26, 2021 in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington Street, DORCHESTER LOWER MILLS, 2-5 pm. Funeral Service Monday, September 27, 2021 in the Funeral Home at 11 am. Interment in New Calvary Cemetery, Boston.