Alda Maria (DaSilva) Pestana, 83 of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Northwood Nursing Home after a brief illness related to her Parkinson’s disease. She was born on October 17, 1941 in Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal and was a daughter of the late Fernando and Maria de Lourdes (Sousa) DaSilva. She was raised and educated in Sao Miguel.
In Sao Miguel, she met her husband Valentino Q. Pestana, Sr. and they married in 1967. As they began their journey to America, Valentino came over to the United States first, and she shortly after joined. They settled in Lowell in 1968, where they made their home.
She lived in the South Lowell neighborhood for many years, before relocating to Florida for 15 years; and eventually coming back to Lowell recently to be closer to family. She was a communicant of St. Anthony Church.
Alda enjoyed spending time outside, especially camping, traveling, gardening and being at the beach. She adored spending time and FaceTiming with her family, especially with her grandchildren Zayden and Sebastían.
In addition to her beloved husband of 58 years, Valentino Q. Pestana, Sr. of Lowell, she is survived by two children, Sandra Maria DelRiego and her husband, Jorge of Williston, Florida, and Valentino Q. Pestana, Jr. and his wife, Tamara of Jacksonville, NC; her grandchildren, Nina and her husband, Craig, Amy, Brandon, Andrew, Zayden, and Sebastían; and her great grandchildren, Macie, Maddie, Marcus, Kendall and William.
She is also survived by her sister, Margarida Torres and her husband, Manuel of Lowell; her brother in law, Joe Matias of Lisbon, Portugal; her niece and godchild, MaryLou Piexoto of Lowell; and her nieces and nephews, Manny Torres, Jr. of Lowell, Stephanie Landry and her husband, Tim of Nashua, NH, Theresa Pestana, Denise and Ricky Pestana, and Danny and Arthur Silva; her grand nephews, Jacob and Collin; and her cousin, Blandina Garcia of Lowell.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, the late Carlos DaSilva, and her sisters, the late Fernanda Correia, and the late Lilliana Matias; her nephew, the late Rodrigo Piexoto, the late Elvino Garcia, her sister-in-law the late Belmira Silva and her nephew, the late Bobby Silva.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: American Parkinson Disease Association, at: www.apdaparkinson.org/donate
All are welcome to attend her calling hours on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816. Her funeral will begin on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. Please find us on Facebook or use this website to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.