Pauline Amaral Obituary

Pauline Amaral was faculty at New Bedford High School in New Bedford, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Pauline Amaral.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jan 17, 2009
About	BOSTON — Pauline Ann (Pifko) Amaral, 80, of Fairhaven, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family Saturday, January 17, 2009, at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston. Born in New Bedford, August 27, 1928, daughter of the late Alexander and Katherine (Pabis) Pifko, she lived her entire life in Fairhaven. A graduate of Fairhaven High School and "Lady Fairhaven of 1946," Pauline received her Master's Degree in Physical Education from Bridgewater State Teacher's College and enjoyed 40 years employment in the New Bedford Public School system, with most of her years at the high school. She excelled both as a player and coach in basketball and field hockey and also bowled a perfect 300 game. A talented musician, she was the pianist for many variety and church shows as well as organist for the O.L.P.H. Church, and was voted most musical at Bridgewater State Teacher's College for 1950. An advocate for music in the schools, she was an officer in the Fairhaven Music Parents Association. Pauline passed on her passion for music and sports to all of her children. A communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Pauline was active in the O.L.P.H. Society and the Holy Rosary Ladies Sodality. She was a member and newspaper editor for the Polish Women's Business and Professional Club of Greater New Bedford and awarded Woman of the Year by the Polish American United Organizations for whom she also served as treasurer for nine years. Pauline's love for family and community was seen everyday as she always put other's needs ahead of her own, volunteering her time and content to remain the silent driving force in the background of any social and family gathering. In her recent years she enjoyed visiting the Fairhaven Senior Center. She is survived by her husband, David; 2 sons, Michael Amaral and his wife, Rocio of Harlingen, TX, Mark Amaral of New Bedford; 2 daughters, Marian LaMarra and her husband, Pasquale Jr., of Middletown, RI, Maureen Amaral Gay and her husband, Paul of Dunstable; 5 grandchildren, Rocio Castillo, Christine Amaral, Katherine Amaral, Meredith Amaral and David Amaral; 2 sisters, Irene Koczwara and Stella Marnik of Fairhaven; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was the sister of the late Paul and Andrew Pifko. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pauline's memory may be made to O.L.P.H. Church, 235 No. Front St., New Bedford, MA 02745, or to the Fairhaven Association for Music Education (F.A.M.E.), c/o Mary Desroches, 12 Babbitt St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 26, at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Visiting hours, Sunday from 3 - 7 PM at the Machnowski-Schick Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford.