Maria I. (Bento) Leite

PEABODY – Mrs. Maria Idalina (Bento) Leite, 91, passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jose Medeiros Leite, with whom she spent 70 years of marriage.

Born in St. Michael, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Joao and Maria (Porcino) Bento.

Maria and Jose immigrated to Peabody, Massachusetts, in 1981, where they have since resided. She loved her family above all else. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose kindness and strength were felt by all who knew her.

Mrs. Leite had been employed for many years at Bleyer Industries and retired in 1996. She was a hard worker all her life. A longtime resident of the City of Peabody, Maria was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Church.

A gifted artisan, she was an expert at knitting and crocheting, creating intricate tablecloths and doilies, and generously teaching others the skill she cherished.

Maria loved to travel — always interested in spur-of-the-moment expeditions. She enjoyed getting a little lost and finding her way again, believing that the unexpected paths made life more interesting. She had a true adventurous side. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends, from watching her “telenovela’s”, to a holiday gathering, or any of life’s milestone events, if she was in the company of family and friends, she was content. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Maria is survived by her daughters, Sara Melo and her husband, Manuel of Peabody, Maria Leite and her husband, Manny Moniz of Peabody, Luisa Amral and her husband, Jose of Azores, Portugal, Amanda Duross and her husband, David of Largo, Florida, Lina Martinez and her husband, Jose Luis of Peabody; her son, Jose Luis Leite and his wife, Celeste of Peabody; her sisters, Maria Veira of Canada and Clementina Morgado of Canada; her grandchildren, Jose, Sandy, Alcino, Milton, Silvio (deceased), Rui, Leslie, Celso, Diogo, Nicholas, Michael, and Kayla, and eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

In addition to her beloved husband Jose, Maria was predeceased by her grandson, Silvio; her brothers, Jose Bento, Gil Bento, and Ricardo Bento; and her sister, Sara Bento.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Monday, December 15th at 9:30 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Following interment all are invited to Clube Luis de Camoes, (CLC), 10 Collins St, Peabody, MA, for collation and fellowship. Visiting hours are Sunday, December 14th from 2 to 5 P.M. at the funeral home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com