Obituary of Maria N. Silva

Maria N. (Bettencourt) Silva, 79, of Peabody, died early Friday morning at the Beverly Hospital following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Joao C. Silva. Born in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Jesuina (Ataide) Bettencourt. She was raised and educated in Portugal, later immigrated to the United States where she settled in Peabody. In 1984 she went to Portugal to take care of her mother and returned 10 years later in 1994. While living in Peabody, she worked for over 13 years as an assembler for the Parker Brothers Corporation in Salem. When she was in Portugal, she sang with her church choir. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and crocheting, and more importantly to her, she enjoyed helping others in need. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Joao and Zulima Silva of Peabody, and Jose Silva of California, a brother, Arselio Bettencourt of California, three grandchildren, Fernando, Elizabeth, and Jacqueline Silva, and is also survived by a great grandson, Nicholas Acosta. Her funeral service will be held Monday at 9:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody Facility, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours are on Sunday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.