Mary C. Silva, age 86, of Swansea, Massachusetts, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at the Somerset Ridge Nursing Center. She was the wife of the Honorable Milton R. Silva and has resided in Swansea, Massachusetts, since 1968. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the only daughter of the late Henry Silvia Gaspar and the late Mary (Rocha) Gaspar. A resident of Fall River for most her life, she was a graduate of the B.M.C. Durfee High School Class of 1941 and completed the business program at the former Herrick's Institute on Franklin Street. While still attending Herrick's, Mary worked part-time at the former Acme Clothing Company on Shove Street, where she was hired full-time as a payroll clerk upon completion of her studies at the Institute. After leaving Acme in 1950 to raise her children, she returned to work about ten years later in the family business where she remained a valuable asset at the Silva Faria Funeral Homes for many years. A devout catholic, Mary was a communicant of St. John of God Church in Somerset and was also a parishioner for many years at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fall River. In addition to Milton, her husband of sixty-three years, surviving family members include: her five children, Paul F. Silva and his wife Filomena of Fall River, Christine M. LaFranchi and husband Larry of Winthrop, MA, Richard H. Silva and wife Donna of Somerset, Ana M. Larrivee and husband Gary of Westport, MA, and Martin A. Silva, Esq. and wife Kathi of Somerset; a brother, John S. Gaspar of Somerset; eleven grandchildren, Brian W. LaFranchi, PhD, of Berkeley, CA, Amy L. S. Rigtrup of Fall River, Alan M. LaFranchi of Haverhill, MA, Melanie A. Silva of Portland, OR, Michael R. Silva of Somerset, Richard A. LaFranchi of Boulder, CO, Patricia M. Silva of Fall River, Jessica A. Silva, Maxwell G. Silva and Elliot G. Silva, all of Somerset, and Robert A. Larrivee of Westport; and several nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Maj. Arthur S. Gaspar USAF Ret. Her Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Brian Albino, Fr. Manuel Ferreira, Fr. John Oliveira and Chorbishop Joseph Kaddo on Thursday, September 16, in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Interment was at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. www.alz.org/manh