In Memoriam: Sister Carmel Marie Silva, OP

Sister Carmel Marie Silva, OP, died in Fremont on April 18.   She was 86 years old and in the 66th year of her religious profession.

Born on March 13, 1936, in Bridgeport, California, Sister Carmel Marie was the daughter of Fred Silva and Pearl Conway.  She met the Dominican Sisters when she was a student at St. Mary of the Palms School, Mission San Jose.   In 1954, she entered the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose and made her first profession of vows in 1956.

For 48 years, Sister Carmel Marie ministered in Catholic schools.  During that time, she served as principal of six different schools in California:  St. Vincent School, San Rafael; St. Ignatius School and Sacred Heart School, Los Angeles;  St. Boniface School, Anaheim;  St. Frances Cabrini School, San Jose; and St. Leonard (later Our Lady of Guadalupe) School, Fremont. 

Loyal friendship, an enthusiastic sense of humor, and remembrance in her prayer were gifts that Sister Carmel Marie extended to others — her family, friends and religious community. 

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Carmel Marie will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont.  Burial will follow at the Congregation’s cemetery, God’s Acre, at the Motherhouse. 

Guests who attend the funeral must be fully vaccinated and wear masks.