JoAnn E. Silvia

JoAnn E. (Casper) Silvia, 74, of Somerset, MA, a retired Somerset High School teacher, passed away on July 10, 2017 after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Russell Silvia and mother in law of the late Thomas K. Medeiros.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Fall River, MA, she was a daughter of the late Edward R. and Dorothy (Golden) Casper; she lived in Somerset since 1969 and was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Somerset. JoAnn attended Sacred Heart’s Academy, Fall River, and was a member of the class of 1960. She then attended Bridgewater State College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1964 with a major in Biology. Mrs. Silvia’s teaching career spanned over 50 years beginning in 1965 as a Biology teacher at the Sacred Heart’s Academy where she taught until 1967. From 1967-1969 she was hired at the Somerset Junior High School as a General Science Teacher; and in September 1969 she began teaching Biology at the Somerset High School; retiring in June 2001.

During her career at Somerset High she was a member of the Somerset Teacher’s Association, Junior Class Advisor, Prom Committee Supervisor, and founder of project SEA (Sophomore Environmental Awareness). Her passion for teaching and the love of students brought JoAnn out of retirement and she returned to Somerset High/Somerset Berkley Regional High School as a substitute teacher until February 2017.

JoAnn loved spending time with family and friends. She had a way of putting a smile on one’s face and making them laugh with her upbeat and positive personality. Besides her family, her interests included travelling, bowling, sewing, dancing, and trips to the casinos. She is survived by her son, Russell M. Silvia of Portsmouth, RI; daughters, Deborah (Medeiros) Silva, and her husband Steven of Somerset, and Deanna DeMello and her husband Daniel of Somerset; a sister, Rosemary Burkhardt and her husband Donald of Portsmouth, RI; four grandchildren, Alyssa DeMello, Kaitlin Medeiros, Colton Medeiros, and Makenzie Venckauskas; and several nieces and nephews.

Her family wishes to acknowledge the staff at Charlton Memorial Hospital and Somerset Ridge Center for their compassionate care that was provided to JoAnn during her illness.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County St., Somerset followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South St., Somerset. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Somerset. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4- 8. Donations in her name may be made to the scholarship fund that has been set up to be annually awarded to the highest ranking Science student at Somerset-Berkley Regional High School and can be sent to the JoAnn E. Silvia Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Somerset Federal Credit Union, 740 County St, Somerset, MA. For tributes and directions, www.waring-sullivan.com.