The daughter of the late Antonio and Maria (Carvalho) Silva, she entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Sept. 9, 1946 in North Providence. She pronounced her final vows, Sept. 17, 1954. 

There was never any question about which group of Sisters to join. Maria was educated in Espirito Santo School in Fall River, Mass., where she was taught by Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. She was active in her parish as junior director of the choir and later worked as a seamstress. 

For several years, she served as a “commissioner” — one of many Sisters of her Institute who went all over the United States selling the handwork made in the needlework rooms, obtaining the funds to support missionary works as well as young girls employed in overseas missions.

She was sent in mission to Divine Providence Shelter in Manhattan, N.Y., where she used her seamstress skills and served as a group mother in a shelter. Later she was a group mother at McMahon Shelter in Harlem, N.Y., and in Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, N.Y. In the Hotel Alverne, St. Louis, a residence for the elderly, she was sacristan and social activities coordinator for 11 years. 

After studying nutrition and dietetics, Sister Silva became a food supervisor at St Francis Hospital in Roslyn, N.Y., where she spent six years. Courses in homemaking and home health aide brought her new skills as a visiting homemaker in Tiverton, R.I. and Grace Haven retreat and vacation house where she also served as coordinator welcoming Sisters coming for retreats or vacations.

 As a member of Emmaus Community in North Providence, she continued her ministry as a Health Aid Home Helper for the United Way.  She was missioned to St. Michael’s Community in North Providence where she served as a nurse aide.  In 1993 she was missioned to Ein Karim Community where her ministry was pastoral care to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in St. Antoine’s Residence. After an illness she was sent to Trinity Community in North Providence for assisted living.

She is survived by her sister, Olivia Dion of Fall River; and nieces and a nephew. 

Her Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 6 in the Holy Family Chapel of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in North Providence.  Funeral arrangements were by Russell J. Boyle and Son Funeral Home.