With deep love and gratitude, we celebrate the remarkable life of a beloved Portuguese matriarch, Almorenda Whittemore, who reached the extraordinary age of 100. Born in Lowell Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Diolinda (Cordiera) Pina. As a young girl, she moved with her family to the Azores, where she was raised surrounded by Portuguese traditions and the values that would guide her throughout her century-long life. While in Lisbon, she met her first husband, Antonio Pastor. Together they shared adventures that took them as far as Angola while he served in the Navy. Her journey brought her back to Lisbon before life once again led her to the United States. It was back in America where fate introduced her to the man who would become her second husband, Herbert Whittemore. At the time, he was working as a taxi driver, and their chance meeting quickly grew into a love story. Though their time together was precious, it was heartbreakingly cut short when he was taken too soon-a loss she carried with strength and grace for the rest of her life.

Throughout her life, she held a variety of small jobs, always willing to work hard when needed. In the 1970s, she worked bench assembly at Texas Instruments, a role she took pride in during an era when perseverance and dedication meant everything. Yet her most important role was her role as homemaker. In her spare time, Almorenda enjoyed sewing, a hobby she could be found doing throughout her years and took pride in creating beautiful handmade items. She could often be found carefully stitching clothing, mending treasured items, or creating something beautiful with her hands. She believed strongly in saving money, never wasting anything, and living modestly with dignity and gratitude.

Almorenda's legacy as a grandmother was marked by the tenderness and wisdom she shared with her grandchildren and the joy she found in her great-grandchildren.

She leaves behind her daughter, Fatima Pina Pastor; Grandchildren, Danielle Mitchell, Shane Johnson, Jessica Azarian, Kyle Jones, and Steven Amado.

She also leaves behind her Great Grandchildren, Natalia Harnett, Matthew Mitchell, Charlotte Mitchell, Josephine Mitchell, Dillion Johnson, Nola Saint Germain, Troy Jones, Kylyn Jones, Rome Jones.

She is predeceased by her children, Theresa Ann Johnson and Mary Pina Elkins. As well as her siblings, Julia Pina, Diolinda Medina, Adlina Correia, and Enrique Pina.

Though Almorenda's journey on this earth has come to a close, the memories and love she shared will forever be woven into the fabric of her family's history. We honor a life that was truly a blessing to us all.

Funeral services will be held private.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the DYER-LAKE FUNERAL HOME, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA. (508) 695-0200.