Barbara (Francis) Silvia of Vineyard Haven died on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Mass. General Hospital in Boston. She was born December 23, 1942, to the late Alfred Francis and the late Adele (Curney) Francis.She was 68 years of age.
She was predeceased by her husband, Gilbert R. Silvia, in June of 2010.
Barbara was a lifetime resident of Martha’s Vineyard. She was a graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She married Gilbert Silvia in 1961 and they resided in Vineyard Haven and raised their family. She held employment at The Head Start Preschool, The Martha’s Vineyard Cooperative Bank, and Martha’s Vineyard Insurance Agency until her retirement in 2009.
She was renowned for her volunteer/charitable work, especially her dedication to The Red Stocking Fund. Barbara was a warm-hearted person, known for her generosity, compassion, kindness, and dedication with the Red Stocking Fund. She enjoyed organizing and coordinating this charity. She also was a volunteer for the Tisbury Voting Polls.
Barbara loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her world mainly revolved around her family and their happiness in their journeys of life. In her free time, Barbara enjoyed crosstitch, crocheting, and cooking as well as collectingHummels. She loved people, and it was not unusual for Islanders to drop in and just say hello.
She is survived by her children, Kenneth P. Silvia, Michael J. Silvia and his wife, Danelle, of Vineyard Haven, and Deborah and her husband, Ronald Denoncourt, of Plymouth; six grandchildren, Michael G. Silvia, Adam and Travis Lanoie, Antone Silvia, and Jacob and Luke Silvia; and two great-grandchildren, Damon Silvia and Payton Silvia.
Barbara is also survived by four siblings: Jean Laramee of East Bridgewater, Everett “Porky” Francis of Edgartown, Alfred Francis of Vineyard Haven, and Mary Nickerson of Chatham.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Her funeral service was held on December 7 at the Chapman Cole Gleason funeral home, followed by burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven. A potluck reception was held at the P-A Club in Oak Bluffs.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Red Stocking Fund, PO Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539.
Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
