Isaltina DaPonte

Isaltina DaPonte (Xavier), 94, of New Bedford, passed away at Care One of New Bedford on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Born in St. Miguel, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Manuel Pacheco and the late Gloria Xavier and loving wife of the late Carlos DaPonte.

Isaltina took great pleasure in cooking for loved ones and making sure everyone felt welcome at her table. Her kitchen was the heart of many gatherings. She was also an accomplished seamstress who spent many hours sewing clothing, quilts, and other handmade items for family and friends. Upon arriving in the United States in April of 1966, she worked for many years as a machine operator manufacturing textiles.

She is survived by her daughters; Margarida DeMelo and her husband Valdomiro, Fatima Ferreira and her husband Luis, Natalie Larson and her husband Peter; sons, Carlos DaPonte and his wife Hilda, Joseph DaPonte and his wife Irene, Robert DaPonte and his wife Diane, Nicholas DaPonte and his wife Sandy, George DaPonte and his wife Alice; 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; sisters, Natalie Xavier, Tina Xavier and many nieces and nephews. Isaltina is preceded in death by her daughter, Helen DaPonte; brothers, Herman Xavier, Manuel Pacheco, Amos Xavier; sisters, Maria Melo, Theresa Macabello, Joventina Xavier.

Her Visitation will be held at the Boulevard Funeral Home on Friday, October 31st from 8-9:30am. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10am at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.