Diane M. (Silva) Tavares passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday August 10, 2021 surrounded by her loving family at St Luke’s Hospital after her fight with cancer was exacerbated by COVID-19.
She was the loving mother of three children, one son Amilton “AJ” Tavares, Jr. of New Bedford, and two daughters, Angeleena Tavares and Maria Tavares, both of Atlanta; the fiancé of Frank “Kyppa” Ferreira who she was excited to marry on September 25, 2021, and the daughter of Maria G. Silva and the late Alfredo B. “Freddie” Silva.
Diane was a graduate of New Bedford High School and Diman Regional Vocational Accelerated Licensed Practical Nurse Program. She worked at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities including Alden Court, Brandon Woods and Whaler’s Cove. She was most recently employed by New England Hospice of Wareham and Hospice of Massachusetts. She traveled the state bringing her nursing expertise and commitment to excellent care to countless patients.
Diane was known as a dedicated patient advocate. With each patient, she ensured individualized health and care plans were administered with love, compassion, and empathy during their end-of-life journeys. Even as she battled cancer herself the past 4.5 years, she shared her love for nursing with family, extended family, and friends caring for several individuals during their “journey into heaven” as she called it.
A three-time cancer survivor, Diane participated in a Dana Farber Cancer Institute experimental trial for lung cancer with metastasis this past year. With her positive attitude and incredibly strong faith, Diane fully believed her contribution to cancer research would save lives, beyond her own.
Diane was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous. She recently received a Medallion recognizing 4+ years of sobriety. She always gave of herself sharing her story in AA meetings and speaking at commitments where she encouraged others in the struggle.
A truly spiritual person, Diane was a member of the New Life Pentecostal Church in Acushnet, MA. She was well known for sharing her love for God and her amazing spirit in the face of diversity with those in her inner circle as well as with many around the world through social media.
In addition to her mother, her fiancé, and her children, she is survived by one brother Alfredo “Sonny” Silva and his wife Faith of New Bedford; five sisters, Yvonne Houtman and her husband Raymond, and her twin sister Peggy Dias and her husband Mark, all of New Bedford, Shirley Silva-Paige, Beverly Gresham, and Melissa Wilson and her husband Conan, all of Maryland; her former husband, Amilton Tavares, Sr.; her brother-in-law Daniel DeBarros; and many nieces and nephews, Godchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, good friends, her cats Levi and Honey, and an entire Facebook community.
Diane joins her two baby angels Amanda Tavares (AJ’s twin) and Dominique Tavares in heaven with open arms. She was also the sister of the late Sandra S. Gonsalves and her husband John “Nuinui” Gonsalves, Elaine M. Silva, Anna M. Silva, and Antonet “Toni” Silva.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Sunday August 15, 2021 from 2-6 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. The family is requiring that all guests wear masks while attending. Due to Covid concerns, a private family service will be held. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.