Silvestra "Sylvia" Silva, 86, of New Bedford passed away at home on January 25, 2013 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with ALS.
The daughter of the late Gregorio Silva and Maria "Baba" Barros, she lived all her life in New Bedford.
Her entire life revolved around her family and she enjoyed nothing better than being surrounded by them.
She retired from the U.S. Ringbinder and then devoted her life to caring for children, a job she cherished. She also volunteered at the local library reading to youngsters in the after-school program.
In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and being a mentor to many younger individuals and dispensing her own special brand of wisdom and common sense.
Survivors include her daughters, Marcia Cruz and Marie Robinson and her fiancé Lawrence "Sonny" Tobey; her sisters, Rose Almeida and Dorothy Gomes; her brother-in-law, Jose "Rookie" Almeida; her grandson, Christopher Cruz and his companion Brigitt Neary; her great-grandchildren, Sierra and Jalen Cruz; her nieces, Cynthia Gomes and Elayne Gomes-Battle and her husband David and Alyssa and Adrianna Battle.
She will be greatly missed by many, especially her extended family members, Beatrice Harden, LuAnn Nobre and Kathy Hurtt.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Dolores "Cookie" Silva, her grandson, Jamal Cruz and her brother-in-law Joseph "Dje Dje" Gomes.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Tuesday, January 29th at 7 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 8 AM. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday, January 28th from 4-7 PM.