Maria Bella Benevides

Maria (Bella) Mello Benevides, wife of the late Manuel Benevides, daughter of the late Deolina Mello Alvarnas and Joseph Mello, and step-daughter of Joseph Alvarnas, passed away on June 1, 2026.

Maria was the mother of the late Manuel (Benny) Benevides and sister of the late Daniel Alvarnas and Mary Raphosa.

She leaves behind her daughter Debra (Benevides) Jenkins, four grandchildren: Sean (Jennifer) Benevides of Florida, Justin (Emily) Benevides of North Carolina, Kourtnie (Phil) Nenault of Texas, and Julia Benevides of Rhode Island-as well as her six beloved great-grandchildren: Brady, Brooklyn, Benjamin, Annie, Oliver, and Miles.

Maria also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Barnabas on 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI at 10am on Saturday, June 13. Burial will be private.