Virginia T. Broadhurst

Virginia Theresa (Pires) Broadhurst, 97, of Acushnet, MA died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was dressed in her favorite color pink. She is reunited with her husband of 58 years, Raymond Broadhurst; her parents Mary (Conceison) and Anthony Pires; and her six siblings, Anthony, Mary (Pires) Povoas, Alex, Manuel, Joseph, and John Pires. Virginia is survived by her daughter Gail (Broadhurst) and husband Daniel Augustino of Shrewsbury, MA, her daughter Susan (Broadhurst) and husband Michael Baszynski of Tucson, AZ, and son Raymond and wife Charlene (McGourty) Broadhurst of Berkley, MA; four grandchildren Amy, Aaron, Kylee, and Mariah Augustino; and a great granddaughter Emma, whom she adored. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Maxine Pires and many loving nieces and nephews. Virginia was born on a snowy day in Easton, MA on April 22, 1917. She attended Oliver Ames High School and Marlborough Nursing School and worked as a nurse for several years. She was a stay at home mom and then worked in the bakery section of the Fernandes Supermarket in New Bedford, MA, which was the perfect match for her sweet tooth. Virginia met Raymond at a social dance at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton, MA. Throughout their lives they loved to dance - taking lessons, practicing in their living room, and going to the Lincoln Park Ballroom. Virginia and Raymond traveled the world, visiting Europe and the Middle East. One of Virginia's favorite trips was visiting Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Another highlight was seeing the Pope pass by during a trip to Italy. She also loved visiting the Madeira Islands, her families homeland. Family was the most important thing in her life. The house was always full of kids, grandkids and friends. She was always close with her six siblings and eventual siblings-in-law. Clamboils in the backyard and family gatherings held in Easton and Falmouth, MA were one of the highlights where the extended family would gather, eat Portuguese food, and enjoy one another's company. She was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet, MA and St. Christopher in Hobe Sound FL. Mother Theresa, her middle name namesake, was always an inspiration to her. When asked what her secret was to staying young, she would say it was to always keep moving. She lived by this principle and stayed active all the time. Even in her 90s, she'd bend down to pick up that penny off the floor or pull out a pesky weed. If you wanted to find her - and if you could keep up with her -- you could find Virginia hunting for those shopping bargains and seeking out the perfect yard sale treasure, playing BINGO, going to the casinos, playing cards, sewing clothes, or knitting an heirloom afghan. She also was an avid reader. For those of us lucky enough to have known and loved Virginia, we will miss the beautiful inspiration of a woman who lived 97 years with love, kindness, patience, humor, and grace. She left this world a better place and is now enjoying another happy family reunion, giving us a wink with her beautiful blue eyes. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 10 a.m. in Saint Francis Xavier Church, 125 Main Street, Acushnet, MA. Immediately following her Mass the family will continue to celebrate Virginia's life in her home. Interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. Those who wish to remember Virginia by way of a memorial tribute are kindly asked to consider Water for People http://www.waterforpeople.org or Smile Train at http://www.smiletrain.org. To share your thoughts, memories or pictures of Virginia, please visit her personal guestbook at: www.mercadantefuneral.com