TEWKSBURY: Rachel L. (Ward) DeSilva, age 86, a Tewksbury resident for over 60 years, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Frankilin Hospital in Franklin, New Hampshire.
She was the wife of George DeSilva, who passed away in 1979.
Born in Lowell on September 5, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Annie (Turnbull) Ward.
Mrs. DeSilva was raised in Lowell, attended Lowell schools and graduated from Lowell High School.
Following her marriage, she resided in Tewksbury.
She attended the Tewksbury Congregational Church, where she was a former member of the Ladies Aid group.
In earlier years, she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Acacia Chapter # 80 of Tewksbury.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed as an assistant librarian at the Harold J. Patten Library in Tewksbury.
Mrs. DeSilva enjoyed many activities including reading and sewing.
She is survived by one son. Ralph G. DeSilva of Ipswich; one daughter, Kathy L. Hogan and her husband Ed of Franklin, NH; four grandchildren, Adriene Mansel and her husband Joseph, Katherine DeSilva, Jennifer Olejarz and her husband Aaron and Jonathan Hogan; one great grandson, Gavin Mansel; one sister, Mildred E. Patterson of Tewksbury; also many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. DeSilva was the sister of the late Esther Bump, Hazel Grimm, Albert, Elmer, George and Robert Ward.
Relatives and friends will be received Monday, June 1st, from 9-10 a.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury, followed by her Funeral Services to be held at the funeral home. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, 720 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 are suggested.