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Belmira Natalia Clemente (Barbosa), 86, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026 at the Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the love of her family. Born on December 10, 1939, in Esmolfe, she was one of six children born to the late Manuel and Maria (Laureiro) Barbosa.
At the age of 19, Belmira immigrated to the United States and settled in Holyoke. She later returned to Portugal to marry her neighbor and the love of her life, Frederico Clemente. They later moved to Springfield where they lovingly raised their family together. In 1977, they moved to Ludlow, and for the past 49 years has been her home.
Belmira was a faithful and devoted member of Christ the King Church. A talented seamstress by trade, she worked for Elco Dress in Holyoke for many years until her retirement. Following retirement, she continued to enjoy serving others while working in the cafeteria for Ludlow Public Schools.
Belmira found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved cooking and baking special treats for her family and took immense pride in caring for her home. She could often be found tending to her flowers, plants, and vegetable garden, which reflected the same love and care she gave so generously to those around her.
Above all else, Belmira’s greatest love was her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend whose warmth, strength, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her two loving daughters, Elizabeth Elias and her husband Humberto, of Belchertown, and Marylou DaCosta and her husband Filipe, also of Belchertown; her cherished grandchildren, Christopher and Rachel Elias, Anthony and Tiffany Elias, Corey and Rafaela Elias, Jordan DaCosta, and Nicholas DaCosta; and her adored great-grandchildren, Katarina, Adalynn, and Valentim Elias. She also leaves her brothers, Joseph Barbosa and Jorge Barbosa; her sisters, Lucinda Joao, Maria Canelas, and Isabel Barbosa; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frederico Clemente; her parents, Manuel and Maria (Laureiro) Barbosa; her brothers, Jorge and Orlando Barbosa; her nieces, Paula Clemente and Monica Canelas; her brothers-in-law, Pedro Clemente, Arnold Joao, Jose Alves, and Joao Canelas; and her sisters-in-law, Lenor Albuquerque and Maria do Carmo Goncalves.
In accordance with Belmira’s wishes, services and burial will be private. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time as they honor her memory in a personal way.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Belmira Natalia (Barbosa) Clemente, please visit our floral store.