Alexandrina Espinola

Alexandrina Espinola, 87, of Methuen, MA, passed away at her home peacefully on Monday, March 15, 2021, at approximately 3:00 pm. She was surrounded by her loving family with whom she lived for the last 16 years.

The daughter of the late Manuel Avila da Silva and Candida do Coração de Jesus of Graciosa Azores Portugal, Alexandrina was born on November 27, 1933, in Graciosa Azores Portugal. She resided in Ribeirinha, Graciosa, Azores, got married and gave birth to her only daughter, Maria. She lived there until May of 1985 when she came to the United States of America with a permanent Visa with the help from her brother, George Silva.

A member of Corpus Christi Parish, Alexandrina was also a member of Portuguese organizations in the area. She worked at Cardinal Shoe and Polo until her retirement.

Alexandrina was a fun loving person who easily made friends, with her smile and jokes, and had many loyal friends who cared for her dearly. She loved to sing and dance at Portuguese feasts and in her Acapella group. She enjoyed spending time in her kitchen making cookies and sweet bread. She was most happy being out and about socializing surrounded by friends and family. Later in life, her time was most enjoyed with her granddaughters and other family members at home.

In addition to her loving daughter, Maria, Alexandrina is survived by her granddaughters, Carina and Cassidy Garcia; her son-in-law, Sean; brother, George Silva and his wife, Graziela, all from Methuen; her nieces, Sandra Guzman and her son, Luke, both of Methuen and Nazare Lobao of Lowell; and nephews, Walter Santos of Lowell, MA and Paul Santos of Hampton, NH. She also leaves many other cousins, great nieces, and nephews of Lowell, Portugal, and Canada.

Alexandrina was predeceased by her husband, Joao Espinola; brother-in-law, Gregorio Santos; and sister, Maria De Jesus Santos of Lowell.

Alexandrina’s family would like to thank Charles Quam and Jenny Martez, for the dedication, support and friendship they shared with her and the rest of the family through the last few years of her wonderful life. Another great big thank you to Michelle Mazzone, Erin Garcia, Virginia Ruffini, and Colleen Maden for their support throughout the extremely difficult time providing help with Alexandria's care and helping the family cope with this loss.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours from 9:00-11:00 am on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen, MA. Her service will take place immediately following at 11:00 am followed by her burial in St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.

The florist of choice for the family is Piccirillo the Florist (978-683-3851)