Maureen “Dada” Eloise Pontes passed away surrounded by her caring parents and loving siblings.

She is survived by her two parents, Maria DeFatima Depina Pontes and Mario Brito Pires Pontes, and her three siblings, Marilyn Ashley Pontes, Marlon Eric Pontes, and Marynee Julia Pontes.

Maureen was a very loving and caring person, truly one of a kind. She has always put her needs aside to assist others. She bent over backwards for her family and loved ones. Although she didn’t have any children, you could always find her babysitting, playing with her young cousins, or taking her godchildren to a playground. She loved children and worked numerous jobs at daycares, preschools, or after school programs. She made such strong connections with children that she would then gain several babysitting jobs, building lasting bonds with the children and their families.

As a lover of life, she never missed a beat. She lit up every room she entered and could make everyone laugh in an instant. She was known for her infectious laugh and within a few minutes can have you crying of laughter. She has a magnetic energy that draws people to her and makes friends with people from all walks of life. On her first solo trip to Morocco in 2019, she immediately became close friends with her tour guide, receiving an invitation to their home along with gifts despite them never speaking the same language. She made a friend wherever she went and everyone’s lasting memory of her is the way she made them laugh and feel.

Maureen was an avid traveler, having traveled to 19 countries across Africa, Europe, and Central and South America, and already had several trips planned for this year. She especially loved to travel with her sisters and family, and would plan an annual birthday vacation. Her favorite places to visit included Cape Cod, California, Jamaica, Aruba, Cabo Verde, the Dominican Republic, and Paris. She was actually planning to travel to the Dominican Republic with her sister and niece and nephews for her 38th birthday.

Her favorite food was lobster and on any given weekend, you could find her cracking a lobster or making her world-famous lobster boil. She also loved to cook and some of her signature dishes included lobster mac & cheese and lasagna. Whenever the weather warmed up, she invited friends and family to her pool and would grill chicken, burgers, and lobsters.

Maureen’s kind soul and generosity extends beyond her family and friends - she worked as a Mental Health Therapist at the Suicide Prevention Hotline in Brockton, MA. As a Psychology major, she was committed to helping others and worked overnight shifts to help those in danger. She was so easy to speak with and her easy going personality has literally helped save so many lives.

Maureen was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, friend, and will be extremely missed by all. Her heart will continue to beat on for others and we are all blessed and fortunate to have been in her presence. Maureen was truly one of a kind and no one can match her radiant energy and soul. She will be deeply missed and her legacy will live on forever.

Visiting hours will be held at Saint Patrick Church, 400 Dudley Street, Roxbury on Monday, June 26th from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Patrick's on Tuesday, June 27th at 10:30AM. Interment at New Calvary Cemetery.