Jean E. (Costa) Gomes of New Bedford died suddenly on Sept. 21. She was the widow of John P. Gomes.

Jean Elizabeth Costa was born in Oak Bluffs on Nov. 28, 1935, to Gene A. and Alberta (Allard) Costa. She grew up in Oak Bluffs and attended schools there, graduating from the Oak Bluffs High School in 1953. She was raised in a close-knit community and loving family. As the first child born in her family, and being a girl, she was adored by her 10 uncles.

She was always known as Jean E. and would remind you if you forgot the “E.”

After graduation she moved to New Bedford and met and married John P. Gomes; they had six children.

Jean will be remembered by her family and friends both on and off-Island an easygoing and friendly person who loved crossword puzzles and was known for her beautiful penmanship.

She is survived by her children Timothy, Robin (Gomes) Voisine, Pamela (Gomes) Martin, Tammy Gomes and Rebecca Gomes, all of New Bedford. Her son Shawn Gomes predeceased her. She is also survived by a sister, Elaine (Costa) Carroll of Vineyard Haven; grandchildren Jason Martin of Pennsylvania, Wayne Martin, Harry Parsons 3rd and Sterling Gomes of New Bedford; a great-granddaughter, Jay Lynn Martin of Pennsylvania, and a great-grandson, Kameron Parsons of New Bedford; a nephew, Michael Thomas Carroll, his wife Carol and family of Vineyard Haven; and Elizabeth (Carroll) Fraim and her husband Jeffrey of West Palm Beach, Fla; cousins Patricia A. Costa, Virginia C. Hall and Lillian Anderson, all of Oak Bluffs.

A funeral was held on Sept. 26 at Boulevard Funeral home on Ashley Boulevard. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery in New Bedford.

A memorial service will be held on-Island at a later date.

Contributions may be made in Jean’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.