Katherine Gonsalves
February 28, 1927 - October 26, 2022
Katherine Gonsalves of Plymouth, passed away on Wednesday October 26, 2022 at the Life Care Center of Plymouth. She was born on February 28, 1927 in Rochester. Her parents were Joseph Nunes and Adeline Nunes and they had 9 children. Katherine was one of 4 girls and she had five brothers, and quickly learned to do everything her brothers did especially climbing trees. Her stories were always about following her brothers around climbing trees, and getting into trouble because of it. Back then they called her a “Tom” Boy. However, I am sure that is what helped to build her strength and tenacity. She could keep up with the best of them.
She married Peter A Gonsalves, Jr. of Plymouth, who passed away in 2004 after nearly 60 years of marriage. They had 3 children: Diane M. (Gonsalves) Fonseca, Beverly Gonsalves, and Peter A. Gonsalves III.
Katherine worked and retired from John Hancock, and in her elder years, worked at the Newfield House, in Plymouth, which she loved. She loved giving care and comfort to the elderly even though a good number of the residents were younger than she was. But her top priority was always her family, her home, and her gardens.
She was barely 5’3” but her energy was boundless as was evident by her creative decorating in her home and her well-known manicured gardens. No matter where she went around town, people would constantly compliment her on her yard. Total strangers would stop and compliment, and in some cases, people would mail her thank you cards with donation money (which she always rejected) explaining how much they enjoyed the beautiful blooms. A local newspaper article dubbed the house the “Jewel of South St.”
She was constantly being asked to join various garden clubs and or decorating firms, but she always turned them down saying “there are things you do for money, and there are things you do for LOVE.” One of the things she LOVED was giving people house and garden advice, she thoroughly enjoyed helping friends and family with decorating ideas.
Katherine is survived by her sister Mary Nunes; her 3 children, Diane M. Fonseca, Beverly “Cookie” Gonsalves, and Peter A. Gonsalves III; her 6 grandchildren, Edward L Fonseca III, Denise Fonseca, Peter Gonsalves IV, Jordan Gonsalves, Lindsey Gonsalves, and Gregory Gonsalves; one great grandson, Anthony Fonseca.
Her advice to all, “do what you LOVE, not how much you’re paid.”
A period of visitation will take place on Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 373 Court Street, Plymouth. A memorial service will begin at 12:00 pm and the burial will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701 or www.cancer.org. For more information or to sign the online guestbook please visit www.cartmelldavis.com.
She married Peter A Gonsalves, Jr. of Plymouth, who passed away in 2004 after nearly 60 years of marriage. They had 3 children: Diane M. (Gonsalves) Fonseca, Beverly Gonsalves, and Peter A. Gonsalves III.
Katherine worked and retired from John Hancock, and in her elder years, worked at the Newfield House, in Plymouth, which she loved. She loved giving care and comfort to the elderly even though a good number of the residents were younger than she was. But her top priority was always her family, her home, and her gardens.
She was barely 5’3” but her energy was boundless as was evident by her creative decorating in her home and her well-known manicured gardens. No matter where she went around town, people would constantly compliment her on her yard. Total strangers would stop and compliment, and in some cases, people would mail her thank you cards with donation money (which she always rejected) explaining how much they enjoyed the beautiful blooms. A local newspaper article dubbed the house the “Jewel of South St.”
She was constantly being asked to join various garden clubs and or decorating firms, but she always turned them down saying “there are things you do for money, and there are things you do for LOVE.” One of the things she LOVED was giving people house and garden advice, she thoroughly enjoyed helping friends and family with decorating ideas.
Katherine is survived by her sister Mary Nunes; her 3 children, Diane M. Fonseca, Beverly “Cookie” Gonsalves, and Peter A. Gonsalves III; her 6 grandchildren, Edward L Fonseca III, Denise Fonseca, Peter Gonsalves IV, Jordan Gonsalves, Lindsey Gonsalves, and Gregory Gonsalves; one great grandson, Anthony Fonseca.
Her advice to all, “do what you LOVE, not how much you’re paid.”
A period of visitation will take place on Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 373 Court Street, Plymouth. A memorial service will begin at 12:00 pm and the burial will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1120, Framingham, MA 01701 or www.cancer.org. For more information or to sign the online guestbook please visit www.cartmelldavis.com.
