Maria Tereza Dos Santos Madrona

Boston - Maria Tereza Dos Santos Madrona, of Boston’s South End, died Monday, September 7, 2026 at Accent Hospice Residence in Milton. She was 75.

Maria was born in Santos, San Paolo, Brazil a daughter of the late Teresa Dos Santos Taylor. After graduating from high school, Maria earned an Associate degree from Quincy College.

She went on to dedicate more than 30 years of service to the City of Boston, working as a paraprofessional at Madison Park High School in Roxbury before retiring in 2017.

Throughout her career, Maria helped nurture, encourage, and guide the many students who crossed her path, offering them not only her professional support but, whenever possible, the love and care of a mother. She had a special gift for making young people feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Maria was a fantastic cook and took great pleasure in gardening. She loved living in Boston's South End and was an active board member of the Methunion Manor Co-Op, where she formed many lasting friendships and became a cherished member of the community. She also had a deep love for wildlife and found joy in observing and caring for the natural world around her.

She leaves her son, Ivair ‘Nino’ Madrona of Boston; her siblings, Hermógenes Gonçalves, Adalberto Gonçalves, Henriberto Gonçalves, Diógenes Gonçalves, Maria Domingas Gonçalves; also survived by nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Maria’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, September from 4 to 7 p.m.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 15th in The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street, Boston at 10:00 a.m. Please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to BCTV, P.O. Box 9196, 34 Chestnut Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or https://www.catholictv.org/donate.html