Natalie Maria Pereira, 59, beloved sister, aunt and friend passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at her home in Templeton, Massachusetts.
The fourth of five children, Natalie was born in Newman, California on September 18, 1962 to the late Horacio and Olinda Pereira. Spending her childhood years in Gustine, California, she moved with her family to Fitchburg in 1974. From an early age, Natalie always wanted to be a nurse. She graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1980 and was accepted to the nursing program at Fitchburg State College. Upon graduation from Fitchburg State in 1984, she went on to enjoy a very rewarding career in the field of nursing.
For 35 years, Natalie worked at Leominster Hospital where she compassionately cared for thousands of patients. While working at the hospital, she proudly served as union chair for many years and always advocated for high standards of care and patient safety. She was also the co-captain of the HealthAlliance Bearly Ables Relay for Life team for over two decades and raised countless dollars for cancer research through her dedicated efforts. Upon her departure from the hospital in 2021, she became part of the faculty at Fitchburg State University where she imparted her expert nursing skills onto aspiring students.
Natalie had a vibrant personality that was larger than life. She always helped anyone in need and cared for many friends and family members throughout her life. With love and compassion, she tirelessly cared for her mom and dad to ensure that they could remain at home during their later years. She highly valued the importance of family and frequently hosted gatherings where all were welcome. She enjoyed travel, especially to her family home in the Azores, as well as dining out and the performing arts with her large circle of friends. She had several animal companions throughout her life and leaves behind her beloved dog, Lady. She was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Parish. She will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.
Natalie is survived by her four siblings and their spouses: Olinda and John Carvalho of Modesto, California, Lumania and Brendan Foley of Westminster, Massachusetts, Joseph Pereira of Hudson, New Hampshire and Mary and Stephen Kasper of Ashby, Massachusetts. She was the loving, fun aunt to six nieces and nephews: Scott Carvalho, Christina Foley, Ryan Foley, Katherine Pereira, Alexander Pereira and Amanda Kasper. She also leaves behind several aunts and cousins as well as her best friend and “partner in crime”, Paula Alexander.
Calling hours will be held at the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd. in Fitchburg on Friday, April 1 from 4-7PM. A funeral mass will follow on Saturday morning at 10AM at Saint Joseph’s Church 49 Woodland St. in Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers, Natalie’s family requests donations be made in her memory to the Natalie Pereira ’84 Scholarship in Nursing at Fitchburg State University. Donations can be mailed to Fitchburg State University Foundation, 160 Pearl St., Fitchburg, MA 01462 or made online indicating that they are for the Natalie Pereira ’84 Nursing Scholarship. If you have any photos or memories of Natalie you would like to share with her family, please send them to [email protected]
View the online memorial for Natalie M. Pereira
Published by Sentinel & Enterprise on Mar. 30, 2022.
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