Maria Balbina Silveira

“A part of my dream is to be with my family, especially at dinner time. During those times a very special thing for me to do is to pray together, to thank God for everything that he is giving us every day.” ~Maria Silveira

Maria Balbina DaSilva was born and raised in Freguesia do Salao, Faial, Azores on March 17, 1946. She came to the United States in 1974, it was an adjustment to say the least but she soon found the Portuguese Community and was happy that she was able to preserve her customs and traditions.

Taught at a young age to care for others, she took great pride in caring for her home and her family. She believed and lived by the adage “home is where the heart is.” She enjoyed going to church and was very active in the Portuguese community serving on the committees for the Nossa Senhora de Fatima, Santa Cecilia and Santo Antonio. She was also an active member of the SES hall in Santa Clara.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Maria recognized her faith was important to her throughout life. She was a member of the Saint Claire Parish and during that time she volunteered her time with the church choir and many bible study groups. She enjoyed giving her company and care to the elderly and sick, a true testament to her belief in giving thanks and appreciating life.

Maria held fast to the traditions of her culture and in doing so created a warm and loving home. Her family always had a clean home and a warm plate of food waiting for them at the end of the day. Friends of her children always knew they could stop by for a quick bite to eat. She was humble, kind and loving. She never complained that she was tired or her feet ached; she worked hard daily to maintain her home and those values are reflected in her children today. She was an honored mother and took pride in her children’s participation in the Portuguese band, she never missed a fiesta! That was her way of enjoying herself-she loved to get dressed up and attend the fiesta. She also enjoyed her craft work and once participated in a boutique sale at the local high school. She also loved to tend her garden, just another way she made her house a home.

Maria left us on January 31, 2011 at Mission Skilled Nursing Facility in Santa Clara. She is survived by her two sons, five grandchildren, two brothers, one sister and many nieces and nephews. Services were held at Saint Claire’s Parish Santa Clara. She was laid to rest at Mission Cemetery in Santa Clara.

Maria will be deeply missed. Her memory always cherished and a mother forever loved…although she is not here physically sheis alive in our hearts and memory. It is bittersweet to see her go because those who knew her well understood the pain she has endured the last 8-9 years and they know that she is looking down on us smiling, and when it is our time to join her, it is almost certain that she will be waiting- arms wide open with a warm plate of food.