Obituary of Madeline J. "Maddie" (Silva) Elwell

Madeline J. “Maddie” (Silva) Elwell, 83, of Peabody, beloved wife of William E. Elwell, died on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Salem hospital following a brief illness. Born in Peabody, On April 2, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Palmira Silva, and sister of the late Cyrino Silva, Lucy Silva and Mary Donahue. She was a lifelong Peabody resident, graduating from Peabody High School Class of 1947, as well as she attended Marian Court Secretarial School. Madeline worked at GE and Atwood & Morrill for several years. She enjoyed charity work and was President of the Leo Guild for many years. As a result of her charity work, Madeline started a successful party planning & fundraising business with her friend, Joyce Flynn, known as Party Line Consultants. One of her greatest accomplishments was owning and operating A Touch of Elegance Bridal Salon in Danvers from 1982 to 2003. Madeline always added “a Touch of Elegance” to every bride’s special day. Madeline planned many of her high school class reunions, loved to entertain, and spend time with her great-grandchildren Henry and Sophia. Madeline was loved by her family, friends and will be deeply missed. In addition to her husband with whom she shared 59 years of marriage, Madeline is survived by her children and their spouses, Deborah and Kevin Donovan, William and Ann Elwell, and Kimberly and Kosta Karazurna; 7 grandchildren, Jaclyn and Anthony Penny, Bradford and Christopher Donovan, Lindsey and Jonathan Elwell, Chrissy & Nikki Karazurna as well as 2 great-grandchildren, Henry and Sophia Penny; 2 sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Angela Silva, and Susan and Charles Currier and many nieces and nephews. The family will received relatives and friends on Sunday, July 7, 2013 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Her funeral will be held on Monday, July 8, 2013 at 9 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 260 North St., Salem. Memorial contributions may be made in Madeline’s memory to the Autism Support Center, 6 South Side Rd., Danvers, MA 01923. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guestbook.