Zaira (Bruno) Silveri, age 100, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 surrounded by family and the Little Sisters of the Poor. Her strong will to live and unwavering faith in God, as well as an abundance of love and prayers, carried her through until God called her home.
Zaira was born on November 19, 1920 in Rapino, Italy to Luigi and Emma Bruno. At age 14, she came to the United States where she and her family settled in Devon, PA. She had one brother, Alexander Bruno, who preceded her in death. Zaira married Pasquale Silveri on October 28, 1942; together they had 3 children and celebrated 45 years of marriage before his passing in 1987.
Zaira’s hands were always busy. She enjoyed saying the rosary, playing BINGO, and baking her famous biscotti. Above all, her true passion was sewing and she had a natural gift. Zaira was an incredibly talented seamstress, formally taught as a young girl by the Sisters in Italy. In the 1940s, she had her own millinery shop, Aida’s, in Wayne and also worked for many years at B. Altman’s in St. Davids. Her greatest joy was sewing for Church, especially Our Lady of the Assumption where she was a dedicated parishioner for 86 years. Whether it was altar linens, vestments, tabernacle covers, or hand towels, she made sure her work for “God’s house” was absolutely perfect. Zaira’s pride was in her family; she taught them how to live by faith and exemplified kindness, patience, gentleness, love, and forgiveness.
A loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend; Zaira is survived by her children Vincent, Mary Ann (Joseph) DiMartini, and Lisa; grandchildren Vincent II, Gina and JJ DiMartini, and Faith Kurtzman; and great-grandchild Valentina.
Memorial donations in memory of Zaira may be made to the humble and compassionate Little Sisters of the Poor, Holy Family Nursing Home, 5300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143.
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