Gloucester - Gloucester - Emma M. Fortado, 84, a lifelong resident of Gloucester, MA passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday morning, June 21, 2025, at Beverly Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Walter C. Fortado, Sr., with whom she shared 58 years of marriage before he passed away in 2019.

Born in Gloucester, she was the daughter of the late Gillman S. and Adra (Larkin) Blatchford. Emma was raised and educated in Gloucester and was a graduate of Gloucester High School, class of 1960. Emma was employed briefly at the Big Wheel restaurant in Gloucester before marrying her sweetheart and raising a family of five. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Emma could often be seen at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church with her family as her husband, Walter, sang in the Men's Choir.

Emma returned to the work force first at Glass Dimensions in Essex, MA and later at Rule/ITT Industries making many friends before retiring to be with her family. Emma enjoyed watching the birds that frequented her yard, especially the cardinals. She also was known for telling everyone to behave themselves, even the chaplain/priest who visited her in the hospital.

Emma was predeceased by her spouse, parents and one brother, William S. Blatchford. She is survived by her sister, Alice Langston of Virginia, her five children, Lillian A. (Fortado) Muise and her husband Ivan of Essex, MA, Sharon Fortado of Gloucester, MA, Walter C. Fortado, Jr. and his wife Randi (Lilly) of Windham, NH, John P. Fortado and his wife Edith (Barrett) Fortado and Marilyn Fortado of Gloucester, MA, four grandchildren, Michelle and Donovan Muise both of Essex, Robert Fortado and fiancé Jennifer Courcelle of Salem, NH and Dylan and his wife Sophia Fortado of Boscawen, NH. Her aunt Donna Olson of Peabody, Ma her aunt Lauriel Larkin of Pembroke Pines, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to her good friend and neighbor, Roberta Wood who always took the time to visit and look in on her.

Her funeral service will be at Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle St., Gloucester on Tuesday, June 1 at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours prior to the service from 9:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. Burial will be at Beechbrook Cemetery Gloucester. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.