Maria Neves

Maria Silva Neves   Chicopee- Maria Neves, 92 years young, died of congestive heart failure on Friday afternoon, October 12th, 2007 with her loving family at her side. VoVo, as she was called for years by family and friends, was born in Chicopee, MAJanuary 24th1915, the daughter of Maria da Conceiçao Tremoçeiro and Adelino da Silva.  In 1923 she moved to Cruz da Legua, Portugal with her mother, brother, and sister a few years after her father passed away.  In 1953 she returned to the US with her family and resided in Chicopee, MA until 2003 when she decided to live with her children. In 1953 she worked at Chicopee Undergarment Co. and then moved to the Chicopee Coat Manufacturing Co. retiring in 1977.  Since retirement, she has spent her winters in CA and the remainder of time in the Chicopee area. Maria Neves had many interests most of which started after retirement.  She loved sewing, having made many beautiful wedding gowns and clothing for friends and family; ceramics and oil painting; visited shut-in friends; and traveled extensively.  She also discovered a passion for exercise and continued walking long after she was forced to use a walker.  In her mid-years she was very active with the Portuguese-American Club in Chicopee, serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary. In her final years she was a member of the Holy Name Church of Jesus Woman's Auxiliary. She attended St. Patrick's Church of Chicopee Falls for many years and prior to that Holy Name of Jesus Church in Chicopee where she and her sister were baptized. Maria was devoted to her family.  She was pre-deceased by her husband, James Neves; sister Helena Reis and brother, Joaquim daSilva.  The surviving family includes 7 daughters and 2 sons and their spouses: Liberade & Jose Fernandes, Fernanda Bernardo, Victor & Lisa Neves, Rose & Ken Berry, Connie & Amandio Fernandes, Teresa & Howard Lamothe, Clara & Miguel Mireles, Adelino (Joe) & Marianne Neves and Elaine & John Warren.  She also leaves 25 Grandchildren, 42 Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by two nephews; Mario Silva and Jaime Ferreira das Neves.Friends may call at the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, MAon Sunday, October 21stfrom 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 22ndat 10:00 AM at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 33 South St., Chicopee with Rev. Mark S. Stelzer, Pastor officiating.  Family & friends may meet at the Tylunas Funeral Home at 8:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Holy Name of Jesus Church (address above) or Care Pages c/o Children's Hospital of Boston, 1 Autumn St., Boston, MA 02215-5301, or online www.childrenshospital.org .