Silvina A. Estrela, 82, of Fall River, wife of Manuel Falcao Viveiros Estrela, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday September 23, 2022, after a long illness. Born in Rabo de Peixe, Sao Miguel, Açores, a daughter of the late Mariano Teixeira Raposo and Silvina Eugenia de Amaral, she emigrated to Fall River in 1975.

Silvina devoted her professional life to education. She began teaching in 1959 in Rabo de Peixe, and continued her passion for teaching after settling in the United States. Within 4 years of her immigration from the Azores, Silvina obtained her teaching equivalency degree at Boston State College, and later obtained her Master's Degree in Bilingual Education from Boston University. She was an educator in the Fall River Public Schools for 28 years, most of which as a preschool teacher at the Silvia School on Hartwell St. She was often recognized by former students (from the Azores and from Fall River) in the community, and when recognized, it was evident that she was beloved by her students and families.

Silvina was also one of the first teachers of the "Escola Portuguesa de Fall River" offered by the Portuguese Consulate. She taught Portuguese language and culture to children in the community in an effort to celebrate and maintain our heritage.

Her teaching career spanned 45 years of service, and she touched the lives of thousands of students. Silvina retired in 2005 and enjoyed spending time with her family in the following years. She especially loved having her children and grandchildren together for Sunday dinners, as well as gathering at her sister's house with extended family for tea on Sunday nights. Silvina was the matriarch of the family, and she will be dearly missed.

Silvina was recognized for her service and citizenship in 2007 as a recipient of the "Portuguese Heritage Award," the "Immigrant of the Year" in 2004 by Amigos de Rabo de Peixe, and as the "Educator of the Year" in 2002 by the Portuguese American Women's Association. She was a long-standing parishioner of Espirito Santo Parish, and a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Besides her husband, of 57 years, she is survived by: three children, George Estrela, married to Ana Lima Estrela, of Fall River, Peter Estrela, married to Laura Estrela, of Portsmouth RI, and Patricia Estrela Mackay, married to Steven Mackay, of Dudley, MA; six grandchildren, Amy Estrela, Andrew Estrela, Aaron Estrela, Nick Estrela, Michael Mackay, and Matthew Mackay; six great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Silvina is also survived by her sisters, Maria Ponte of Fall River, Elvira Raposo of Bridgewater, MA, and Eduarda Barbosa, of Fall River. She was predeceased by her loving brother, Mariano Raposo.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers and Hospice workers who so lovingly cared for Silvina during her illness, especially in more recent months.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, September 29th, in Espirito Santo Church followed by her committal at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Silvina's memory to either the Escola Oficializada Portuguesa da Sociedade Cultural Açoreana 120 Covel St., Fall River MA 02723, or the Igreja do Bom Jesus in Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel, Açores.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of this pandemic or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website ( www.silvafaria.com ) and not through a third party. Thank you!