Carmen Silva

Carmen Maria Silva, age 79, of San Antonio, passed away in the early afternoon hours of Sunday, January 24, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.  Carmen was born on September 1, 1941 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to the late Santiago Camacho Gonzalez and Andrea Martinez Pintor.  Carmen moved to New York when she was 10 years old.  Soon after, she met a young boy named Pablo who caught her eye and attention, and she caught his.  Though he tried for years, Carmen would not give him their first date until he became a Christian.  At the age of 16, Carmen became committed to the man of her dreams, her best friend, Pablo Silva.

Pablo and Carmen were married on December 14, 1957 in Queens, New York.  Pablo and Carmen’s marriage began in nerve racking fashion, as Pablo was late to their wedding while he was trying to make his mustache perfect for his waiting bride.  For the next 62 years, Pablo and Carmen would raise a family, support each other through life’s up’s and down’s and live a lifetime of memories that will live on for generations.  Carmen lost Pablo on October 23, 2020 and longed to be with him every day that followed.

Carmen was a dedicated woman, both to her family and her faith.  She was an ordained minister with numerous degrees in theological studies.  Carmen served as a missionary to South America, travelling and sharing the passion she had for her God.  Carmen was a member of Union Christian Church in Baldwin, New York, El Pabellon and Oasis De Amor in San Antonio.  Carmen was a loving mother, to her three children, her adopted daughter and to the ten children she fostered throughout her life.  Providing a home full of love was a priority for Carmen.  Those who knew her best will always remember the love she had for her beloved husband.  By title Carmen was a homemaker but by choice she was a wife, mother, grandmother and friend to countless.  Her love and dedication will live on in the hearts of those she knew and loved for generations to come.

Carmen is survived by one son, Paul Silva, and wife Marina Leonardos; daughters, Raquel Silva Perez of Long Island, New York and Andrea Silva of San Antonio; grandchildren, Anthony Campos, and wife Christine Kurbs, Paul Silva III, and Julio Perez, Jr; great-grandchildren, Anthony and Kristian; brothers, Juan Camacho, Agripino Camacho, Luis Fabian Camacho, Santiago Camacho, and Santiago Camacho; sisters, Haydee Sandlin, Rosita Camacho, Merrisa McCormick, and Ana Camacho; sisters-in-law, Catalina Silva Y Rivera and Carmen “Cambu” Saez Y Rivera; and by a host of other relatives and very special friends.

Private family services will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with Reverend and Mrs. Carera officiating.  Carmen will be laid to rest next to her beloved Pablo and daughter Sylvia, in New York, at a later time.