In loving memory of

Mary Ellen Silvia
December 17, 1931 - July 13, 2011

Middletown, RI - Mary Ellen Gillis Silvia, 79, of Middletown, RI, died on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at home surrounded by her family.She was the wife of the late Edward C. Silvia. Born in Newport, RI on December 17, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Emma Johnston Gillis.Mrs. Silvia was a 1950 graduate of Rogers High School. Before her marriage to Edward she worked for a year for New England Telephone Company. With her late husband, she was the co-founder of Edward C. Silvia Plumbing and Heating and Midtown Oil Company. She was a member of the Newport Preservation Society, the Middletown Historical Society, the Middletown Library, the Portsmouth Senior Center and the Catholic Daughters. Mrs. Silvia also volunteered at the Newport Flower Show, the Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center, and in the St. Lucys kitchen. She was an artist when it came to watercolors and charcoal pictures, loved antiquing for furniture, she loved singing, flowers, gardening, preserving food and loved nothing more then baking and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Caren and Robert Newbury of Mesquite, NV; Anne and Stephen Teixeira of Portsmouth, RI; Jean and Robert Herbert of Woonsocket, RI; Edward C. and Kristine Pratt Silvia, Jr. of Middletown, RI; Nancy and Douglas Summe of Lawrenceville, GA; Richard B. and Johnna Mello Silvia of Middletown, RI; her brother Raymond Gillis and his wife Marjorie Burgess Gillis of Newport, RI and her grandchildren, Michael and Marianne Ryan Teixeira of Newport, RI; Rebecca and Kristina Steeves of Lawrenceville, GA; Luke Mayer and his girlfriend Kerry Woodard of Woonsocket, RI; Brianna and Corey Silvia of Middletown, RI, and her great grandson Blake Richard Mayer of Woonsocket, RI. She was the sister of the late George Gillis, Frank Gillis and Mildred Paschoal.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2011, from 4-7 PM, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Her funeral will be held on Monday, July 18, 2011, at 8:00 AM, from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 AM in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886 VNS of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

Tributes

Jo-Ann Riley - August 03, 2011.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Caren & Bob: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. She was a very sweet lady and always had a smile on her face. I just found out today 8/3/11 when I was looking for another obituary for someone who passed away from work. My sincere sympathy goes out to you and your family. Remember and cherish all of your fond memories of her. She is at peace with the lord and is reunited with your dad in heaven. I'm so sorry I didn't find out sooner. Your in my heart and my prayers."

Peter C.Edes - July 19, 2011 a.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Silvia Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you, please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of Mary Silvia. Peter C.Edes RET R.I.State Police San Antonio Texas"

Mavis and Ray McNIven - July 1.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Caren and Bob Your memories of your Mother will see you through this difficult time Love Always"

Rhona & Robin - July 18, 2011 .. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Caren & Bob, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."

Kathy and Dave Silveira - July.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Caren and family, We are very sad to hear of the passing of your mother. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time."

Doris Steeves/Laurie Pijanowski wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Silvia Family, We were so sorry to learn of your great loss. We want to extend our condolences. We will always remember warm welcomes received from her. God be with you all in the days ahead and feel his love and bring you peace and comfort. Love, Doris Steeves/Laurie Pijanowski"

Robert Oliveira - July 18, 201.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, just learning of your loss right now, I was off a few days last week. My deepest condolences."

Ron & Jayne Teich - July 17, 2.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"To Caren and the family our condolences go out to you. May the Lord give you strength to get you through this very sad time. Our prayers are with you."

Lucinda M. De Patto - July 17,.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Just a note to say, I feel priviledged to have known Mrs. Mary Silvia, though the time was, unfortunately,so brief."

Ray & Bev Bellavita - July 16,.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"To Caren Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time."

Paul Preuit - July 16, 2011 at.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Eddie and family: My condolences on the loss of your mom. I had met her on several occasions over the years, and found her to be warm and caring. May she rest in peace."

Kate & Bob Tobin - July 16, 20.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Dear Caren, Anne, Jean, Ed, Nancy, Rich and family, Your Mother was a wonderful loving woman who made everyone feel special and welcome in her home. She will be sorely missed. God bless you all and our deepest condolences to you. Always, Bob & Kate Corr Tobin"

Sandy Smith - July 16, 2011 at.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Eddie,Kristine and family Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your mom.I did not know her but with a son like you Eddie she had to be a wonderful person.My prayers are with you.May she rest in peace."

Wallace and Janis Holmes - Jul.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Caren, We want to send our condolences to you and Bob. You are in our thoughts. Wallace and Janis"

Erin Dwyer - July 15, 2011 at .. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"My condolences to the Silvia family."

Rose Armstrong - July 15, 2011.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of Mary Ellen. What a wonderful lady she was. Both she and Ed were so good to my parents when they lived in the house behind them on Oliphant Lane. Even though we were only related by marriage Uncle Frank Gillis they always treated us like family. Rose Armstrong"

Pat Lees - July 15, 2011 at 12.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"To the children of Mary Ellen: Your Mom was a very special lady. We met at Catholic Daughters. She was very gracious, always with a smile, always ready to help everyone. Our prayers to the family at this sad time. Pat & Roger Lees"

David & Martha Ashley - July 1.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Our heartfelt sympathy for all the family. You will all remain in our prayers during this sad time."

Pat Soares - July 15, 2011 at .. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Your Mother was such a wonderful person and we will all miss her. She always had a smile for you when she saw you. Love to all of you."

Ada & Gil Lloyed - July 15, 20.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"What a lovely lady. Her family should be very proud of all her accomplishments. Our prayers go out to all of the family that God gives you comfort in the grieving process. Ada & Gil Lloyed"

Jay & Janet Andrade - July 15,.. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Eddie, Kristine and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Mrs Silvia was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace. God Bless."

Blair Cashmon - July 15, 2011 .. wrote on Jul 13, 2011:

"Eddie, Kristine and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Mrs. Silvia was a lovely person, that we were fortunate enough to have met. She had a great smile and warmth about her that put you at ease right away. We were lucky enough to have her as a landlord and Kevin especially, feels the loss of this special lady as he was her tenant for a long, long time! May she rest in peace, Love, Kevin, Blair and Meghan Cashmon"