Irene S. Chaves

Irene S. Chaves passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 19, 1947, on the Island of Santa Maria in the Azores of Portugal, Irene lived a life defined by dedication, resilience, and deep devotion to those she loved.

Her early years were spent in Santa Maria, where she attended local schools and formed the values that would guide her. In 1968, she immigrated to the United States with her mother, first settling briefly in Hudson, Massachusetts, before returning to Santa Maria. That same year, she married Antonio R. Chaves in Santa Maria, and the couple made their home in Hudson. Their marriage endured for nearly six decades, rooted in shared love and steadfast commitment.

Irene enjoyed a long and successful career in electronics, contributing her expertise to the development of microchips at the Digital Equipment Company and later at Quantum Electronics until her retirement at age 65. Her sharp intellect and persistent drive were evident in her work and in every aspect of her life. Outside of her profession, she found joy in her remarkable knitting and crocheting, creating beautiful garments and quilts for family and friends. She cherished quiet moments with her cat Benfica, enthusiastically followed Benfica soccer matches, and remained a loyal Boston Celtics fan. With her nurturing spirit, she also took great pleasure in caring for herself, especially looking forward to having her nails done.

Irene was deeply loved for her respectful, caring, and outgoing nature. She poured her heart into her family, leaving a lasting imprint of strength and determination on her children and grandchildren. Her greatest pride and joy came from the loving relationships she built and the memories she created with them.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Antonio R. Chaves of Hudson, MA; her daughters Fatima Garrity and her husband William, and Cidalia Chaves, both of Hudson, MA; and her son Tony Chaves and his wife Delia of Clinton, MA. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren Nicholas Garrity, Corey Chaves, and Kailen Chaves, along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel Santos and Maria Freitas, and her seventeen siblings.