Albina Das Dores Duarte Cruz, 95, of West Haven, CT passed away peacefully Monday, May 13, 2024 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT.  Born September 3, 1928 to Ana Fraga and Teodoro Duarte in Montalegre Portugal, Albina was a force. She was a very hard worker, working the farms alongside her dad and siblings, then eventually employed with Henry Richards after arriving in America in 1966, where she excelled in her job. She went on to retire after surviving breast cancer and became the best caregiver to so many of her great-nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren, and friends. She was an avid gardener, an excellent cook and very talented at knitting and crocheting, which she did well into her 90s. Albina was predeceased by her husband, Emidio Cruz and by all her siblings.  She leaves behind her daughter, Maria Edite Cruz Machado (North Haven, CT), granddaughter Edie (Bob) Carbone (Longs, SC), grandson Frank Machado (West Haven, CT), great-grandchildren, Rob and Taylor Carbone and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven at 10am. Burial will be private at the convenience of the Family. Condolences may be expressed at www.hamdenmemorialfuneralhome.com.