Maria Soledade Bettencourt Picanço, 82, of Peabody, died peacefully early Sunday morning at Sunrise at Gardner Park in Peabody, surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Manuel “Bràz” Correia Picanço for fifty-two years.

Born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose C. and Ana S. (Ramos) Bettencourt. She was raised and educated in Portugal and later immigrated to the United States and has lived in Peabody for the past forty-eight years.

Prior to her retirement, Soledade was employed for over twenty-seven years as a production worker for Fishery Products International in Danvers.

Above all, she loved spending time with her family and was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren sharing a meal she had lovingly prepared. She enjoyed spending time outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. While living at Sunrise at Gardner Park for the past year, she participated in the gardening club where she continued her love of gardening throughout the seasons. She was a long time and dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Peabody and a member of the Holy Ghost Society and Our Lady of Help.

Soledade is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Heliodoro and Cina Picanco and Daniel and Cristina Picanco all of Peabody, her three daughters and sons-in-law, Ana and Kevin Linnehan of Byfield, Elizabeth and Kenneth Webb of Wells, ME, and Dina and Matthew Wardle of Peabody, her brother, Arthur and his wife Ann Bettencourt of Peabody. She is also survived by her beloved 14 grandchildren, 5 great- grand-children and by many nieces and nephews all over the world. She was predeceased by her brother, Manuel S. Bettencourt.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise at Gardner Park for the professionalism, caring and compassion over the past year. The family is also deeply grateful for the outstanding guidance and support provided by the Care Dimensions Team.

Her funeral services will be celebrated on Friday at 8:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody, followed by her Funeral Mass at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Walsh Ave Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701 and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America 290 Turnpike Road Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581.