Alegria Silva passed away peacefully, in the comfort of her own home, on a sunny day in the early morning of June 10th, 2020. She took her last breath surrounded by her husband, Jorge, of 68 1/2 years, her 4 living children, Bianca, Jorge, Gina and Moises and the cherished memories of family and friends she’s kept alive through photos she has adorned throughout her bedroom. Alegria passed away knowing she was loved, comforted by her favorite music and gladdened by warm memories shared by all.
Alegria was the oldest of three children born to Victoria Lawndes and Armando Choez in Manta, Ecuador. The first to graduate High School, she aspired to become a Teacher. However, when she met Jorge as a 14 year old girl in 1947 she was won over by a cone of ice cream he bought for her. She then knew life had different plans for her! Jorge began to court Alegria and they soon fell in love. He lovingly recalls Alegria’s delight when he hired two men to serenade her by guitar and song through her open windows. After a four year courtship they married by a civil wedding in 1951. Together, they created their home and began to raise their family in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Alegria is remembered as being happiest when everyone had a full belly and loved to cook fresh, homemade, delicious meals! She grew chickens and roosters in the family’s backyard and received quiet satisfaction from the shrieks of enjoyment her children would make chasing them around! By 1960 Alegria had bore 6 children, raising 5; having to put to rest her dear one year old child, Giovanni, an unimaginable pain for any mother. As a family, they continued to honor his memory as the search for more opportunities and a better life brought Jorge to America in 1961. Working as a Jeweler he would eat Campbell Chicken Noodle Soup at night, for a whole year to save up enough money to bring his beloved wife Alegria to America with their 5 children! The family was reunited in July of 1962 when Alegria made the trip to America with the children and together they settled into a home in the South Bronx.
Alegria is fondly remembered for taking all her children to the movie-theater every Sunday to watch Elvis Presley movies, Roman and Biblical movies as well as Dracula and Frankenstein movies providing enjoyment, great memories and a lifelong bonding of movie watching for her children while also allowing her husband, Jorge, some much needed relaxation time from a week’s hard work. Together, they strived each day in hopes of always providing their children better lives and were very proud when they accomplished this by buying their new home in Hollis, Queens in the summer of 1972. They’ve filled the rooms of this home with love, laughter, and while yes - some arguments, overall, they have filled the rooms of their home with an abundance of joy for the last 48 years.
As the years passed and as their children grew into adults the pair took life by the reigns and decided to yet again make the most of their days traveling to over 30 countries in 20 years! It’s said that Alegria loved tasting all the different types of food the best throughout her travels! The memories created throughout this time provides her children with comfort that Alegria, a strong willed, quick to judge but quicker to give, woman lived a full and happy life with no regrets.
Alegria saw her children grow, marry, have children of their own, raise their own families as well as graduate college and succeed in their own careers and she was fortunate enough to share in many more accomplishments! Heartbreakingly, Alegria had to bury another child, her loving son, David, a few years ago as an adult, but we know that she is reunited with him and her loving child, Giovanni, in God’s Kingdom and that gives the family great comfort.
Alegria loved to dance, enjoyed photography, had a green thumb and held a lifelong passion of drawing and collecting small glass ornaments! She loved all her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren very much! Alegria is laid to rest by her husband, Jorge, who knows after such a wonderful shared life, she is resting peacefully with their sons David and Giovanni and is patiently waiting for him to reunite with her in God’s Kingdom. Alegria will be preparing their new home and maybe busying herself learning a new recipe or two!
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