Leontina Maria Silva

Leontina Maria Silva is survived by her husband John Silva, her daughter Suzi and son in Law Eddie Cabase, daughter Elsa and son in law Mauricio Caixeta, grandson Lucas Caixeta, daughter Maria and son in law Jorge Salazar, her grandsons Leo, Jahred and Lorenzo Silva and her great grandson Rylo Silva. As well her brother Manuel Brasil and her sister Rosalina Lima.

Our dearest mother now joins her beloved grandson Cristiano Cabase, her son Leonardo Silva, her sister Maria Lusbelia Silva, her niece Elza Letourneau, her mother Ana dos Santos and so many others who have gone ahead to welcome her. She has so many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that meant the world to her and they are a part of this beautiful world that our wonderful mother belonged to.

Our mother was the first of her siblings to move the United States. She didn't speak the language, she didn't know her way around this great new world, but she was determined to make a wonderful life. Slowly she began watching American Television to learn English. One show after another she would sit and mimic the dialect and soon she was speaking in English and navigating her way around building a life for herself. She had 4 children in the next chapter of her life, working hard during the night doing factory stitching and by day she would work as a seamstress for a dry cleaning company. She never missed an opportunity to work, save her money, to better her life and her children's lives.

Soon after came the dream my mother had chased so long. She had always longed to own a home and she achieved that very special goal. Buying her first home in Lawrence, Massachusetts and then going to work on her second dream of becoming a hairdresser. My mom was relentless and chased her dreams as hard as she could. Her work ethic was undeniable as she filled every hour with something meaningful. She never let the circumstances of her life determine her goals or set her future reality. Soon after getting her hairstyling license, she decided to open her first storefront on the second floor of our home. That led to her passion growing and her thriving in a business setting. As her client list grew she opted to find a storefront in downtown Lawrence, a place she cherished and continued to work into our teenage years. She was always a dreamer and wanted more for her family, with ups and downs, she did all she could to move ahead.

As her children grew and her life moved forward she would find love again with our step-father John. She began her life and second chapter with hope and dedication. Now able to dedicate time to her grandchildren and family, she was the best grandmother and friend anyone could ask for. She saw her children through ups and downs, heartbreak and love, weddings and sadness. She was both a friend, mother and a confidant and in so many ways to so many of her family and friends. She was the "angel" who brought hope and kindness. Her daily calls to her sister in Portugal, her trying to better the lives of her family, her giving of her time when her daughter Suzi faced loss and pain unlike anyone could imagine. She placed herself in the pain time and time again without question. She was present, engaged, and listened even when it was hard. She gave all she had and when her children were not well, praying for them, giving of herself and trying to be the best of everything they needed. She loved her grandsons, spending so much time with Cristiano especially. She felt his presence and spirit and would often speak of how they had a special bond and connection that was truly beyond words. He was a piece of her heart and his passing on took a piece of her with him. Later on, the death of my brother took another toll, just recovering from one loss and thrust into another. She was inconsolable and her family rallied to help her as much as they could.

The two years after the sadness were filled with love and caring for her family, her loving husband and spending as much time as she could with family and friends. The last weeks were spent with Suzi, Elsa and their husbands as she battled through the progression of her illness. So many unexpected turns, so many things that lead to the death of a bright light, but at the end of the day her daughters Maria, Suzi, Elsa and their husbands were all praying and rallying beside her. As we prayed it became clear that God had prepared a place for her and on Friday her breath slowed and she began the journey home to God and her family.

She was a light that will shine brighter than any sun as she gave all she had to those she loved. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her family and friends and there are no friends that will ever forget her. She is the best piece of us and forever she will be missing, and the depth of that loss is immeasurable. We love you mom with all of our hearts and we pray you will always watch over us, as we need you more than you will ever know.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 1:00 pm at St. Raphael Catholic Church 2514 Lee Blvd. Lehigh Acres, Florida. Visitation will follow from 3 to 5 pm at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, Florida. Her final resting place will be on her home island of Graciosa, Azores, Portugal.

YouTube link to watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/XKIwdP3vOBs

(Backup link: https://www.youtube.com/live/bM5T62kHg0o