Maria was born in Flores, Açores, June 29, 1933, to Ana Narcisca Freitas. She was raised by Maria de Gloria Freitas Teodosio and José Caetano Teodosio.
While in Flores, Maria married Luis Silveira October 1955. Together, they had four children (Gloria, Ana, Joe and Carl) in Flores before Luis moved to California for work. Maria followed soon after in 1961 with the family. Once settled, the couple had another six children (George, Tony, Selina, Lewi, Frank and John).
Maria was devoted to her friends and family. As she welcomed many grandchildren and even great grandchildren, she was always found in the kitchen, preparing family favorite dishes and desserts. No matter the holiday, her home was always the gathering place for the Silveira family. The only thing she loved more than her family was to bake and garden.
A woman of faith, Maria had a favorite station on the radio she tuned into daily to pray the rosary. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Turlock.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Luis; son, George Silveira; and granddaughter, Melissa Silveira.
She is survived by her children, Gloria McCullough, Selina Silveira Miller (Daniel), Lewi Silveira, John Silveira, all of Turlock, Ana Rush (Randy) and Tony Silveira (Jolene), both of Denair, Joe Silveira (Vikie) of Ceres, and Carl Silveira (Georgette) and Frank Silveira (Anna) of Arizona; as well as 18 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
A recitation of the Rosary and funeral mass for Maria will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1200 Lyons Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380. A celebration of life will be held after, January 10, 2024 at 12 p.m. at The Grand Oak, 1450 North Soderquist Road, Turlock CA 95380.
Maria will be laid to rest next to Luis at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 North Soderquist Road, Turlock, CA 95380.
In lieu of donations or flowers, the family asks pledges be made to CovenantCare at Home, 125 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA 95380. Their website is covenantcareathome.org, and they can be reached at 877-266-2978.
