November 24, 1943 – February 27, 2024
Judith A. (McCarthy) Silva, a resident of Reading for 41 years, passed away at her home on February 27, 2024. She was 80 years of age. Judith was born on November 24, 1943, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late F. Raymond and Dorothy (Black) McCarthy.
Judy was the beloved wife of Robert J. Silva. Devoted mother of Christopher M. Silva and his wife Sheila of Oregon, Sean J. Silva and his wife Jill of N. Reading, Daniel B. Silva and his wife Florencia of Burlington, Alyssa M. Mieli and her husband Alby of Reading and Patrick R. Silva and his wife Vanessa of Reading. Loving grandmother of Kiara, Mateo, Sienna, Jonathan, Michael, Sophia, Ryan and Emily and sister of the late Joseph McCarthy.
Judy received her bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell in 1965 and embarked on a 30-year career as a school teacher in the Lawrence School System. In 1969 she married the love of her life, Bob and birthed 3 beautiful boys, Chris, Sean, and Dan and then was blessed by the arrival of her daughter, Alyssa from South Korea. Judy gained Kimberly Salem-Jackson as her “adopted” daughter when Alyssa and Kim became friends at just 5 years old. After a few years and a decision to move from Lawrence to Reading, she welcomed her youngest son, Pat who completed her loving family.
Seabrook Beach was one of her favorite places she vacationed with her family. She loved spending time on the beach from when the sun came up until the sunset. You could find her at the oceans edge dipping her feet in the ocean while yelling to her kids, “You are floating too far out, come back in!”
She was a devout Catholic and also taught religious education. Any given Sunday at church she would be praying for her children’s sins to be forgiven. While her children didn’t even realize they had sins in the first place.
Judy was truly a treasure to behold. She loved her childhood friends she was able to grow up with, Claire, Joan, and Lenore. And had many friends she gained in the many years she lived, including but not limited to, Susan, Rita, Gloria and Lynne. Thank you for always being there for her.
Judy’s funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Monday, March 4, at 9:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Her burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in N.Andover. Funeral home visiting hours will be Sunday evening, March 3, from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Judy’s memory to Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Center 113 Winn St. Burlington, MA 01803.
