Known for wit; loved caring for large, extended family

Published in the August 31, 2017 edition

OBIT_Santos,-Silvina_webPEABODY — Silvina Lopes Santos, 95, of Peabody, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2017 surrounded by her family at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading after a long illness.
She was born on February 18, 1922 in Vilarinho Do Alva, Portugal and came to the United States at the age of 30. Silvina raised five children and cared for all her grandchildren as well as others’ children during her working years. She was a bright and witty woman who loved her large, extended family, her many friends and her church.
In the spring and summer she loved to tend her large vegetable and flower gardens. During the winter she could be found sitting in her favorite chair crocheting her specialty, baby blankets. She also loved to travel, especially to Florida, and to cook Portuguese meals for her eagerly awaiting family. Walking the neighborhood was also a favorite past time.
Silvina was predeceased by her husband, Felix Santos, and is survived by her five children, William Santos and his wife Sandra of Peabody; Clarinda Donle and her husband Bruce of Strafford, N.H., formerly of North Reading; Gracinda Santos of North Reading; Maria Gagne and her husband Gregory of Strafford, N.H.; and Antonio (Tony) Santos and his wife Michele of Beverly; and her sisters, Isuara Rodrigues of Peabody and Maria dos Prazeres of Portugal.
She also leaves nine grandchildren, Patricia Santos of Peabody, William (Billy) Santos of Groveland, Kimberly Meaney of Ipswich, Kevin Donle of North Reading, Jonathan Gagne of West Bridgewater, Susan Wright of Peabody, Amelia Santos of Peabody and Jeffrey Santos of Quincy. She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Leanne Bernaby. She also leaves 13 great-grandchildren and her special sisters-in-law, Susan Nadeau and Leonore Santos, and a special friend, Madelena Sloan, and well as cousins Tony and Isabelle Duarte and Julia Fernandes. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Her warmth, wit and fabulous cooking will be sorely missed by all.
A visitation was held on Monday, August 28 at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. Her funeral was held on Tuesday from the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Margin Street, Peabody. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater New England, P.O. Box 541617, Waltham, MA 02454–1617 in her memory. To sign the online guestbook visit www.ccbfuneral.com.