Maria D. Da Silva Obituary
Surrounded by love, Maria D. da Silva, 89, of Gloucester, passed peacefully on July 2nd, 2025, held close by the family she loved so deeply and who were the center of her world.
Maria leaves behind cherished memories and a life well-lived. Her story was one of strength, resilience, and love--the kind of life built quietly through small, powerful acts of devotion.
She was born in Pico Azores on September 26, 1935, daughter of the late Francesca (Oliveria) Garcia and the late Manuel F. Garcia. Maria and her husband, Manuel N. da Silva eventually made their way to America to build their family.
She worked packing fish at Gorton's for many years, linking arms with other hardworking women and mothers.
Later in life, Maria suffered a brain aneurysm--an event her loved ones still consider a miracle she survived. Her husband was a constant presence through it all, offering support, care, and quiet strength. Even with limitations, she remained fiercely independent and unwavering in her determination. She continued to live life on her own terms, with a spirit that never backed down. She had an incredible strength that was fierce and unshakable—an everyday kind of courage that defined her.
After 64 beautiful years of marriage, she was predeceased by her husband, Manuel N. da Silva, whose absence she felt every day; we take comfort in knowing they are together again.
Maria leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, and love—lessons passed down in meals, in her not-so-quiet persistence, and in the unwavering pride she took in caring for her family. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
An extra special thank you to Sr. Maria and Senor Antonio for their loving care and companionship in the years following Maria's husband's passing. Sr. Maria became a true companion and source of joy in Maria's final chapter, and our family is deeply grateful for their warmth and devotion.
She was a member of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.
She is survived by her three children, Manuel EG da Silva, Jose da Silva and his wife Danyle, and Lisa Jonas; her grandchildren, Emily Cote and husband Derek Cote, and Gabriella Jonas; her great-grandchildren, Jack Cote and Cal Cote all of Gloucester. She is also survived by her sister, Isabel Pinho of Hayward California; brother-in-law, Jose DaSilva of Gloucester, Maria Julia DaSilva of Somerville, Maria Margarida Rosario of Stoneham, Emidio Silva and wife Conceicao of Gloucester, Maria Conceicao Faria and husband Jaime of Gloucester, Maria Jose Gil of Gloucester, Maria Silva of Portugal and many loved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Manuel F. Garcia Sr. and Jaime F. Garcia of Gloucester; brothers-in-law, Joseph Pinho of Hayward California, Francisco Silva of Portugal, Jose DaSilva of Somerville, Manuel Rosario of Stoneham, and Carlos Gil of Gloucester; sister-in-law, Isabel DaSilva of Gloucester.
A visitation will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Her burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Stroke Foundation, P.O. Box 16427, Sugar Land, TX 77496.
