GLOUCESTER: Cecelia G. “CeCe” (Flaherty) Silva, 94, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 surrounded in love by her family.
Born in Gloucester on April 21, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Edward J. and Mary M. (Davis) Flaherty. She was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and Rockport and had attended Gloucester public schools.
CeCe, as she was known affectionately by her friends, raised her four children alone. She worked hard at the former General Seafoods and Empire Fish Company. She later operated the Five Corners Guest House and the Village Luncheonette both in Rockport.
She was a devoted mother, loving grandmother and treasured friend to many. A very spiritual person, she was a devout Catholic and long time communicant of St. Joachim’s Church.
CeCe was a resident of Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the past four years and received wonderful loving care from the entire staff.
She is survived by her four children, Catherine Oliver, Joyce, wife of William Shields, Everett, husband of Virginia Saulnier all of Gloucester, and Mary, wife of Tom Rose of Orlando, FL, her sister, Ann Cooney, brothers, William Flaherty and James Michael, husband of Jeanne Flaherty. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Debbie, wife of Kenny Munroe, Mark “Sully” Sullivan, Cheryl, wife of Tommy Vaiarella, Cathe Mustone, Brian Rose of FL, Alan Rose of MS, Kelly, wife of Kevin Littlejohn of CT, Stephanie, wife of Brian Poussard and Eric Saulnier, twelve great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her stepmother, Evelyn Boyd Flaherty, her son, John Flaherty and her grandson, David P. Sullivan, who was lost at sea aboard the F/V Andrea Gail, her son-in-law, Randolph “Sonny” Oliver, her brother, Edward Flaherty and four sisters, Mary Kelley, Margaret Flaherty, Ellen Phillips and Catherine Muise and her former spouse, Chester N. Silva.
Her funeral services will be held privately in the Calvary Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, “Resident Activity Fund”, 292 Washington St., Gloucester, MA or the charity of one’s choice.