Darcelina da Silva
Pawcatuck — Darcelina da Silva departed this world May 24, 2022, at the age of 85. She passed at the Bride Brook skilled nursing facility in Niantic after a brief illness. She was born Darcelina de Jesus in Aracatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 30, 1937, to mother Maria Inacia and father Pedro de Jesus.
In 1964, Darcelina met Alfred da Silva of Murtosa, Portugal. On June 13, 1964, Darcelina married Alfred da Silva in Brazil. They immigrated to the United States in 1964, and made their home in the Stonington area of Connecticut. They were members of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Pawcatuck. Alfred predeceased Darcelina in 1991. They had one daughter, Rosalie da Silva LaBonte.
Darcelina is survived by her daughter Rosalie da Silva LaBonte and son-in-law Ronald LaBonte of Salem. She doted over her two beloved grandchildren, Micaela LaBonte of Waterford, and Jason LaBonte of Salem. One of five children, she is survived by her brother Nelson de Jesus; and sister Joselinda Gouveia, both of Sao Paula, Brazil. Her sister Carmelinda Goncalves; and brother Adilson de Jesus predeceased her. She enjoyed a large group of nieces, nephews and friends over these many years.
Darcelina worked at the former Kellems Division in Stonington, part of a production team finishing wiring used in commercial and residential construction. She enjoyed spending time at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center doing Zumba and going on outings. She was always available to family and friends when they needed help, especially for her grandchildren. She always loved to travel and discover new places. Her adventures brought her all over the world as she enjoyed companionship of friends and family. She adored traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; and trips to Walt Disney World in Florida, and several cruises including to Alaska, and the Panama Canal; and river cruises and land tours in Europe, and the Middle East, as well as relaxing beach vacations in a house on the ocean.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 30, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 60 Liberty St, Pawcatuck. She will be laid to rest at St. Michael Cemetery, in Pawcatuck, beside her one true love, her husband Alfred, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 27 Chase St., Pawcatuck, CT 06379.