Dolores E. Maguire

Dolores E. (Silva) Maguire, age 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Sacred Heart Home. She was the wife of the late William ‘’Mickey’’ Maguire, mother to the late David B. Maguire and grandmother to the late Brian D. Maguire.

When someone lives to be 96 years old, it is impossible to fit the life they lived into an obituary.

Dolores was born December 11,1929 in Manhattan, NY to Mary (Vital) and Manuel Silva. She came into a world that, from where we stand today, we simply cannot imagine. She lived in a time before television became part of every living room, when families gathered around the radio instead. She grew up using an ice box, a phone attached to the wall no washer or dryer. Conveniences we all take for granted.

She lived long enough to see all that change and enjoyed seeing these advances in technology. Dolores enjoyed her computer games and welcomed communication through email.

She moved to New Bedford at age nine during The Great Depression while her family was finding work.

While sitting on her porch at age 16 her brother introduced her to his band mate ‘’Mickey’’. They became inseparable. She watched him serve in WW II and stayed devoted to him through their love letters. Looking back there is something remarkably profound about how much of their story would remain rooted in the very place where it began. They were married for 72 years.

Behind the same front door, they would go on to raise five children, one daughter and four sons. She devoted her life to her family and was an outstanding caregiver. She managed an organized home through all of her children’s sporting events, summer camping trips and school activities. Her sons taught her about football and basketball and she said, “if you can’t beat them join them”. She definitely made sure the Red Sox fans in the family knew that her allegiance stood with NY. Years later their grandchildren would climb those same steps and enjoy the same experiences.

Dolores may have had a tiny kitchen but produced large hearty meals filled with love daily.

She was employed by Arlan's department store and Greater New Bedford Vocational High School starting out in the cafeteria and becoming the secretary to assistant Principal. A job she took a lot of pride in. In her retirement she enjoyed spending time reading, attending the COA, tending to her plants, and truly enjoyed family time.

Seasons would change; children would grow up and move forward with their lives. Grandchildren would become adults. Entire decades would come to pass but, Dolores remained what she had always been to so many of us, a source of strength, faith and love. In her younger years she was a member of the Women’s Guild and enjoyed playing the organ. Attending Mass brought her much comfort. In the end, this is perhaps the simplest way to remember her. She was always there and always will be, in our hearts, for eternity.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Taber and her husband George of Virginia, her son Dennis Maguire of New Bedford, her son Paul Maguire and his wife Robin of Acushnet, and her son Craig Maguire of New Bedford. Her grandchildren Kimberly Burnell and Michael Taber of VA; Erin Maguire [Jason] of Rochester; Ross Maguire [Morgan] of Andover; Jenna Tieu [Minh] of Acushnet; Sean Maguire [Marjie] of Pembroke; Kyle Maguire of Acushnet and Derrick and Kellsie Maguire of FL. She had five children, ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She was predeceased by her brothers Carlton and William Silva.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Sacred Heart Home and Southcoast Hospice for the care and compassion provided to Dolores during this difficult time.

Her funeral will be Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 9 a.m. from the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford with a Mass of Chrisitan Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 343 Tarklin Hill Rd., New Bedford, MA 02745. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday 4-7 p.m. For online tribute/directions please visit www.rock-funeralhome.com.