Margaret Figueiredo, 78, Had Career in Nursing

Margaret Figueiredo, wife of the late William S. Figueiredo, died in Norwood at the age of 78 on Sept. 4.

She was born and brought up in Woodsville, N.H., the daughter of Clara and Edward Gallagher. She had a lengthy career in nursing, which began when she was graduated from the Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing in Dartmouth, N.H., during which time she served in the Army Nurses Cadet Corps, during World War II.

She came to the Vineyard in 1945, where she met and married her husband, Bill. She combined her career in nursing with raising three children. She worked at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital and as a private duty nurse; she also worked in the office of Dr. Russell Hoxsie.

Mrs. Figueiredo returned to the Vineyard in 1975 as the clinical director of the long-term care unit. In 1988, in recognition of her many contributions, she was the first recipient of the hospital's Employee of the Year award.

Mrs. Figueiredo retired from her position as clinical director in 1989, but returned as a volunteer for the hospital. She also volunteered her time to the Tisbury Senior Center, where she helped with arts and crafts and instructed in the making of jams and jellies.

A person of many interests and hobbies, Mrs. Figueiredo was an avid reader, enjoyed Irish music, loved to garden and most especially loved to be with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Harris and husband Raymond Harris of Dedham, Linda D'Alfonso and husband Angelo D'Alfonso of Connecticut and James Figueiredo and wife Lisa Amirault Figueiredo of North Attleboro. She was the grandmother of Thomas and William Harris of Dedham, Michael and Mark D'Alfonso of Connecticut and Sarah Figueiredo of North Attleboro.

Also surviving her are her brother, James Gallagher of New Hampshire; her sisters, Jean O'Connell and Rita O'Donnell of New Hampshire and Vivian Medeiros of Connecticut, and Ruth McDowell of California, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. A Mass will be celebrated at noon at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Vineyard Haven. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the charity of your choice.