University of Massachusetts Lowell, Center for Lowell History
Deolinda Mello Collection [1917-1988]
This collection focuses on the life of Deolinda Mello. The photographs (and some writings) highlighted in this collection showcase her close ties with Lowell's Portuguese and immigrant communities.
Biographical Note:
Deolinda Machado Mello was born in Lowell in 1914 to Joseph (João) Perry (Pereira) and Maria (Rocha) Machado. João Perry (1886-1939) immigrated from Terceira around 1900, settled in Lowell, and worked as a weaver in the Appleton Mills. He eventually became a skilled loom fixer and was among the highest paid occupations on the shop floor in the textile industry. Maria Machado (1888-1958) immigrated one year later and also worked initially in a cotton mill. João and Maria were communicants at St. Anthony’s Church, where they married in 1906. For a few years, João and Maria lived in Ayer’s City, where there was a small number of Portuguese families, but they subsequently moved to Lincoln Street near Chelmsford Street. They later resided in the Highlands neighborhood. In addition to Deolinda, they had a daughter Mary (1908-1972), and two sons, Henry Perry (1912-1987), and John Machado (1917-1983).
Deolinda received her education at Keith Academy and, after graduating, she attended Lowell State College and Boston University. She subsequently received a degree in social sciences at the University of Rhode Island. By the late 1930s, Deolinda worked as accountant at the Laganas Shoe Factory in Lowell, one of the city’s largest shoe manufacturers. She was also active in the Portuguese-American Civic League and in 1939 served as a delegate to the state convention of civic leagues. She became increasingly active at St. Anthony’s Church, notably in the Holy Rosary Sodality Society. The following year she married Tebert Joseph Pacheco Mello, a furniture upholsterer who eventually operated his own upholstering business.
Tebert Joseph Pacheco Mello (1905-1967) was born in Terceira to Antonio and Josephine Augusta Mello. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a baby. He was a member of Saint Anthony’s Church from its founding days, an active committee member in the Holy Name Society, and served as Director of Lowell’s Portuguese American Civic League. Tebert and Deolinda had once son, Robert, who went on to serve in the US Navy, attend Newbury College, and eventually opened and ran several restaurants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Deolinda worked as a board member of the International Institute of Lowell, which provided social and educational services to the city’s immigrant communities. In 1958, she became executive director of the International Institute, a position she held for over 20 years. In 1959, Deolinda took a diplomatic trip to Portugal in 1959, where she was able to meet and interview Antonio Salazar at his summer residence.
For her many years of service at the International Institute, she was honored at a testimonial dinner, attended by over 500 friends and dignitaries, and received letters of commendation from the state’s major educational and political leaders, including U.S. senators Edward Kennedy and Paul Tsongas. She died in 1988, leaving her son Robert Mello, her daughter-in-law, Charlene, and two grandchildren, Bob and Elena.
Biographical Note:
Deolinda Machado Mello was born in Lowell in 1914 to Joseph (João) Perry (Pereira) and Maria (Rocha) Machado. João Perry (1886-1939) immigrated from Terceira around 1900, settled in Lowell, and worked as a weaver in the Appleton Mills. He eventually became a skilled loom fixer and was among the highest paid occupations on the shop floor in the textile industry. Maria Machado (1888-1958) immigrated one year later and also worked initially in a cotton mill. João and Maria were communicants at St. Anthony’s Church, where they married in 1906. For a few years, João and Maria lived in Ayer’s City, where there was a small number of Portuguese families, but they subsequently moved to Lincoln Street near Chelmsford Street. They later resided in the Highlands neighborhood. In addition to Deolinda, they had a daughter Mary (1908-1972), and two sons, Henry Perry (1912-1987), and John Machado (1917-1983).
Deolinda received her education at Keith Academy and, after graduating, she attended Lowell State College and Boston University. She subsequently received a degree in social sciences at the University of Rhode Island. By the late 1930s, Deolinda worked as accountant at the Laganas Shoe Factory in Lowell, one of the city’s largest shoe manufacturers. She was also active in the Portuguese-American Civic League and in 1939 served as a delegate to the state convention of civic leagues. She became increasingly active at St. Anthony’s Church, notably in the Holy Rosary Sodality Society. The following year she married Tebert Joseph Pacheco Mello, a furniture upholsterer who eventually operated his own upholstering business.
Tebert Joseph Pacheco Mello (1905-1967) was born in Terceira to Antonio and Josephine Augusta Mello. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a baby. He was a member of Saint Anthony’s Church from its founding days, an active committee member in the Holy Name Society, and served as Director of Lowell’s Portuguese American Civic League. Tebert and Deolinda had once son, Robert, who went on to serve in the US Navy, attend Newbury College, and eventually opened and ran several restaurants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Deolinda worked as a board member of the International Institute of Lowell, which provided social and educational services to the city’s immigrant communities. In 1958, she became executive director of the International Institute, a position she held for over 20 years. In 1959, Deolinda took a diplomatic trip to Portugal in 1959, where she was able to meet and interview Antonio Salazar at his summer residence.
For her many years of service at the International Institute, she was honored at a testimonial dinner, attended by over 500 friends and dignitaries, and received letters of commendation from the state’s major educational and political leaders, including U.S. senators Edward Kennedy and Paul Tsongas. She died in 1988, leaving her son Robert Mello, her daughter-in-law, Charlene, and two grandchildren, Bob and Elena.