Belmira S. (Sousa) Silva, 88, a longtime Lowell resident, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, April 4 at CareOne at Wilmington. She was the widow of the late Florivaldo P. Silva who passed away in 1998 after 42 years of marriage.
She was born on February 1, 1937 in Fontes, Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, a daughter of the late Francisco Sousa and the late Juliet (Quadros) Sousa, she was raised and educated in that area. She was married in 1955 and then came to the United States in 1956, settling in Lowell to start a family and live out the American dream.
Bella was a longtime communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and always loved to chat with the other women in the Back Central neighborhood. A wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she also loved to cook and will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
Belmira, a hard working woman, was retired from USCI Bard of Billerica where she worked for over 10 years as an assembler. Earlier in her life, she also worked in the Boott Mills, local “shoe shops” including Carroll Shoe and Commodore Foods.
She is survived by her sons, Daniel Silva and his girlfriend, Jacqueline McCarthy, of Tewksbury and Arthur Silva and his wife, Carla Couilliard, of Lowell, her grandchildren, Christopher Silva of Lawrence, Marissa Silva and Maya Silva, both of Lowell, her great grandson, Matthias, her brother, Valentino Pestana and his wife, Alda, of Lowell and her cousin, Blondina Garcia of Lowell.
She was the mother of the late Robert Silva who passed away in June of 2010.
All are welcome to attend her visitation and funeral. Her visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA. Her Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell, MA. Procession will follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Please find us on facebook or use this website to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.