Obituary of Rita C. (Richards) Silva

Rita C (Richards) Silva, 90, of Peabody, died unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday May 8. She was the devoted wife of Raymond J Silva with whom she shared over 66 years of marriage. Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Claudia (Tardiff) Richards. She was raised and educated in Salem and has spent the last 52 years living in Peabody. Rita was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family and was one of the “neighborhood moms” who made sure everyone was taken care of and well fed. In her younger days, she enjoyed dancing and that is where she met her husband Ray at a dance hall in Salem. As her children had grown, Rita worked part-time for various places on the North Shore for many years. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the country after her husband’s retirement. Besides her loving husband, Rita is survived by her two sons, Scott A. Silva of Manchester, NH and Matthew Silva of Peabody, her daughter and son-in-law, Raylene and Alan Cafazzo of Peabody, her two sisters, Lucille Martin of Salem and Lorraine Kowalski of CA, her beloved 5 grandchildren, Raymond, Scott, and Eric Silva, and Brandon and Courtney Cafazzo and is also survived by her two great grandchildren, Wesley and Walter Silva and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Pierre, Roger, and Walter Richards, and Antoinette and Jeannette. Following cremation, visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to PAFHE, C/0 Luso American Credit Union, 63 Tremont St, Peabody, MA 01960.