Maria D. ‘Caixa’ (Cunha) DaSilva, 85, of Lowell, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Lowell General Hospital after a brief illness surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved widow of the late Albino DaSilva who died in 2008 with whom she had shared 50 years of Marriage.
A daughter of the late Joao DeSousa Maio Cunha and the late Rosa Augusta (DeMelo) , she was born July 15, 1937, in Graciosa, Portugal and was raised and educated in that area. She married and began to raise her family in Portugal before moving to the United States with her family in 1980, settling in Lowell until her passing. She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a member of the Holy Ghost Society.
She had worked for Carroll Shoe and Prince Macaroni, before retiring from Joan Fabrics at the age of 65. Since its inception and for many years since, she helped out at her sons market, Silva’s Mini Market in Lowell.
Family was her life and her greatest joy, especially her grandchildren. She loved to cook and eat and loved family gatherings where she got to spend time with her favorite people
Her survivors include her children, Carlos G. DaSilva and his wife, Maria, of Salem, MA, Lino DaSilva, of Lowell, Manuel G. DaSilva and his wife, Elizabeth, of Lowell, and Debbie Bellemare and her husband, Ryan, of Jacksonville, FL; four grandchildren, Derek M. DaSilva, Natasha E. DaSilva, all of Lowell and Ethan R. Bellemare and Nathan T. Bellemare both of Jacksonville, FL; her step grand daughter, JJenna Bellemare of Lowell; her sister, Madalena Cunha Silva of Graciosa; her brothers in law, John Silva and his wife, Lucilia of Tewksbury, Magno Silva and his wife, Nelia, of Lowell, and her sister in law, Silvina Santos and her husband, Isalino, of Mount Bridges, Ontario, Canada, a brother in law, Manuel Melo of Mount Bridges, Ontario, a sister in law, Dolores Bettencourt and her husband, Leo of Port St. Lucie, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
On Friday, August 26, 2022 you are invited to her calling hours from 4 until 8 p.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, 978-458-6816.
Her funeral will begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her funeral mass at ST. ANTHONY’S CHURCH, 893 Central Street, Lowell at 11 a.m.. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
For those who can not attend her funeral will be streamed live on Saturday at: McDonough Funeral Home Facebook Link