She passed away on August 27, 2024 in her Visalia home of 61 years at the age of 96 with her
beloved dog Coco by her side. Bernice grew up in Visalia where she attended Elbow Creek
grammar school. She was a graduate of Visalia Union High School class of 1945.
She married W. John “Blackie” Silveria in 1954 and they had one son, Doug. She was past
president of the Association of Business Girls, a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church
in Visalia, where she was a member of the church choir and taught summer bible and catechism classes. She and John were members of the Visalia dance club and former members of the Sons of Italy Lodge.
She worked at the Sally Ann Bakery as an office clerk and also for Copley’s Bakery. She was
employed by Sears & Roebuck for 18 years. She ended her working career with the Visalia
Unified School District, first at Veva Blunt School and lastly as a teacher’s aide at George
McCann Elementary School for 15 years until her retirement.
Bernice had a great impact on many children’s lives and most everyone who knew her. She was truly unforgettable. Her sense of humor, smile, laughter and jokes will be greatly missed. She loved Halloween and will be remembered for her many great costumes which delighted her students and numerous main street businesses that she popped in on many Halloween days. She will also be remembered for her many beautiful hats.
She is survived by her son Doug Silveria and wife Annie of Visalia, her grandson John Silveria and wife Lizzy and soon to be identical twin great granddaughters, of Bend Oregon, her
granddaughter Caitlin Silveria of Visalia, her sister-in-law Geraldine Souza and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves two godchildren, Lynn Fagundes Galatro and Daren Silveria of Visalia.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Lenora DeMello, her husband of 57 years, John Silveria, her brothers Joe DeMello, Manuel DeMello, Tony DeMello, Bill DeMello, and her sisters Mary George, Maggie Fagundes, and Theresa DeMello.
She was also a substitute grandmother for her grandson’s best friend Ross Kanawyer, his wife
Mandy, and their two children Kennedy and Avery.
We would like to thank her long-time neighbors Barry and Rudolfina Sjsostrand and their son
Solomon who she loved dearly. We would also like to thank her wonderful caretaker, Loli
Morales and the staff at American Care Hospice for all their help and support.
Public viewing will be at Millers Chapel, Sunday, September 8, from 4:30pm to 6pm. Rosary will be recited at Millers Chapel at 6pm, following the viewing. Mass will be held at 9am Monday, September 9, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 Church St. Visalia, with burial directly following Mass at the Visalia Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, she wished for donations to be made to George McCann Catholic School, 200 E. Race St. Visalia, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or American Care Hospice, 5323 West Hillsdale Avenue, Visalia, California, 93291.
