Cidalina O. Carvalho, 88, of Bethlehem, died Sept. 13, 2026, exactly 53 years to the day after she immigrated to the United States from her native Portugal. Born on March 3, 1938, in Chaque, Branca, Portugal, she was a daughter of the late Joaquim Tavares and Ana Oliveira, and was the wife of Francisco Carvalho, who died in 1987.

She worked on farms before beginning a new chapter of her life in the United States, settling in the Bethlehem area and building a life centered around hard work, family and her faith.

She worked as a seamstress for many years, beginning with SureFit and later working for several other textile companies before completing her career with Paula’s Father.

She enjoyed gardening and crocheting.

She was a parishioner of Holy Infancy Catholic Church in Bethlehem.

She is survived by: her children, Maria Santos and her husband, Marcelino Santos; Joaquim Carvalho and his wife, Maria Conceição; Margarida Gomes and her husband, Ilidio Gomes; Maria L. Carvalho Lopes and her husband, Fernando N. Lopes; Maria Alice Carvalho and her spouse, Reyes Ortiz; and Francisco O. Carvalho and his wife, Lisa Moore Carvalho; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends.

Cidalina was predeceased by her son, Manuel Carvalho.

Cidalina will be laid to rest alongside her husband in Portugal.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home.