Nellie Silva Rodriguez

The first born of twelve children to Juan and Leonila Silva.

The family arrived by train from Port Costa to Mendota on the 4th of July, 1941. The welcoming in Mendota was shocking. The weather was 100 degrees plus, after living upstream from San Francisco Bay in cool and green Port Costa. Nellie was ten years of age at that time.

Nellie was a bright shining star that sparkled in the eyes of her younger siblings and all of their children. She loved them very much and felt their love in return. (It must be said that her sidekick Elsie was always close behind.) She was an inspirational guide who shaped their futures. Everyone called Nellie the Captain (La Capitana) - her father called her the Fire Chief. In later years she became the matriarch of the family.

The Silva Family is a team:

The first seven were born in Port Costa and the last five in Mendota.

Frank Silva ⴕ (Margaret), Elsie Silva, Ignacio Silva ⴕ (Carol), Mary Silva ⴕ, Paulita Silva ⴕ, Robert Silva ⴕ (Mary), Lucy King (Mike), Grace Snowden (Larry ⴕ / Mel Messa ⴕ), John Silva (Lydia), Joe Silva (Fabby ⴕ) and Fred Silva (Suelynn) – and many nieces and nephews and their children. All are who they are through the positive influence of Juan and Leonila and their daughter Nellie.

ⴕ indicates a family member who passed away prior to Nellie

Nellie was a prolific reader of the newspaper, many magazines and books (history and poetry being her favorites), making her knowledgeable of life and the world around her. And she loved sports. (On Sundays we would always find her at the TV watching baseball and football while explaining the player names and statistics.) She was a wealth of information about the World War years and history up to the time of her death.. Nellie was born on the shore of the Carquinez Strait in Port Costa. Her love of the water has drawn her to the ocean as often as possible to search for sea shells and pebbles on the beach. (One time she had a Coleman cooler full of rocks and was nearly caught by a ranger.)

Nellie worked at the Amapola Variety Store for many years where she improved her people skills. Also she was proud to say that she was a “prune picker” although she wasn't very good at it - but it was fun for a teenager! Then Nellie's adventures really took off when she moved to San Jose and worked as a hair dresser. It was here that she discovered the outside world! There she met and married Victor Rodriguez. A short time later they moved to El Paso, Texas where her people skills lead to many years working for Kmart, leading to a promotion to Regional Sales Manager where she traveled throughout the southwest states. It needs to be said that she was very observant. Through this she had the knack for what will sell – not only to sell but what will sell in a locality, even a neighborhood. This made her really valuable to Kmart and everything else throughout her life.

Nellie's passing will leave a void in the lives of the family and friends that have all of the joyful memories . Nellie, was faithful and prayful person, praying the Holy Rosary, Dailey for those in need.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary for Nellie will be held Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 2838 N West Ave, Fresno, California 93705. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 10:30 AM, 2838 N West Ave, Fresno, California 93705. A committal service will occur Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 264 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, California 93706.