Obituary of Dorothy T. (Silva) Silva

Dorothy T. (Silva) Silva of Marblehead, formerly of Peabody and Beverly, died peacefully Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the Lafayette Nursing Home in Marblehead, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late John Cruz Silva of Peabody, with whom she shared more than 60 years of marriage. Mrs. Silva was born April 27, 1920, the daughter of John and Anna (Mendonça) Silva of Peabody. She worked as a young woman at Sylvania until she started raising her family, and when her children were grown she worked for many years at Bishop Fenwick High School, where two of her sons attended high school. Mrs. Silva was a warm, loving, and attentive mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a great hostess and enjoyed nothing better than to open her home to company. Mrs. Silva was a member of the Holy Ghost Society in Peabody for many years. She loved to dance and enjoyed music throughout her life. Mrs. Silva leaves two sons and their wives, Richard Silva and his wife Madeline of Worcester and Ralph Anthony Silva and his wife Jo Ann of Marblehead. She leaves a brother, Manuel Silva of Stoneham, and a sister, Lulu Smith of Peabody. She also leaves her grandchildren, Jack Silva and his wife Julie of Derry, NH, Jeffrey Silva and his wife, Dr. Sheryl Silva of Beverly, James Silva of Bangkok, Thailand, Jason Silva of Georgetown, Gregory Silva of Tustin, CA, David Silva and his wife Elizabeth of Auburn, Alexander Rowe of Cambridge, and Rachel Rowe Ausband of Marblehead. She also leaves 13 great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her eldest son, John Cruz Silva, Jr. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Friday, January 29, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Silva’s name to the Children’s Hospital Trust, C/O Development Office, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115-5737.