Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Dolores E. Silva (Amaro), age 89, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2022.
Dolores was born on April 16, 1933, in Cambridge, MA; she was the dear daughter of the late John and Orginia (Santos) Amaro. Dolores was raised in a large and loving Portuguese family; she adored her parents as well as her siblings. She attended Wilmington Public Schools and graduated as the Salutatorian with the Class of 1951 at Wilmington High School.
Dolores went on to continue her education by earning her bachelor’s degree in teaching from Lowell Teachers College and went on to earn a master’s degree in education as well.
Dolores took a teaching position with the Wilmington Public School Department in 1955 and this was the start of a long and rewarding career as an educator. Dolores had a passion for teaching; she treated her students as her own family, she was strict when she had to be, but she was always nurturing and loving towards her students. Dolores was a great mentor and a true friend to her students as well as her co-workers. Dolores started as an elementary teacher; she taught at the Glen Road School for many years before taking a position as the Principal of the Glen Road. She then went on to become the Principal at the Wildwood School and the Woburn Street School before retiring in 1991. Dolores’ dedication to her profession and her students was evident in everything she did throughout the years. She went out of her way to help everyone and always saw the best in others even in difficult circumstances. Dolores encouraged the children to do their best and made sure to cultivate great relationships between the students and teachers alike. Dolores was ahead of her time in many ways when it came to education; she was always trying new and innovative ways to make learning fun.
On May 22, 1957, Dolores married the “love of her life” George Silva and a beautiful new chapter of her life began. Dolores and George built their home in Wilmington to be close to her family; they became parents to their only child George R. “Rick” Silva, whom she just adored. Dolores was a very devoted and loving mother to Rick; she was involved in everything he did and made sure to provide him with a great education. Rick attended Austin Prep High School in Reading and Dolores quickly became involved in the “Friends of Austin Prep” where she volunteered countless hours fundraising, running school bazaars, bingo games or whatever else the school needed.
Dolores’ family was always her priority; she was thrilled to become a grandmother and great-grandmother. Dolores was extremely close to her siblings as well as her nieces and their families; they looked forward to spending family holidays and special occasions together. They travelled, had fun and made countless memories throughout the years.
In her spare time, Dolores, enjoyed knitting, and crocheting, she was an avid reader, she looked forward to going to Bingo and heading to Foxwoods just to try her luck.
Dolores will be fondly remembered as a wonderful lady; she was thoughtful, kind and caring. She went out of her way to do for others never expecting anything in return. Dolores had a huge heart, a great smile and an infectious laugh; she loved her family and friends unconditionally and she will forever be in their hearts.
Dolores was the beloved wife of the late George Silva, devoted mother of the late George R. “Rick” Silva and his wife Patricia Silva of Florida, loving “Grammy” of John Richard Silva and his wife Rebecca and Melissa Jean DaFreitas, as well as her great grandchildren Rodolfo “Rudy”, Katelynn and Andrew. She was the cherished sister of the late Rosa Sadowski and her husband Edward Sadowski of Wilmington and John Amaro and his late wife Phyllis Amaro of Wilmington, sister-in-law of Lorraine Gibbons of Haverhill. Dolores was the “Sweet Mimi” of Rosann and Mark Guarino, Leeann Sadowski, Robin and Bob Gearty, the late Denise Amaro, and Cherylann and Peter Arvanitis and their families. Dolores is also survived by her large extended Silva family.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Wednesday, May 18th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 17th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dolores’ memory to the Town of Wilmington Scholarship Fund, c/o Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington Public Public Schools, 161 Church Street, Wilmington, MA 01887.
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