Evanjelena “Lena” Silva, age 77, of Blissfield, died Saturday afternoon, September 21, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born at home in Riga, Evanjelena was the tenth of eleven children from the union of Guadalupe and Alvina (Casanova) Rodriguez.
A lifelong area resident, Lena grew up in Riga, and attended Blissfield Schools before graduating from Whiteford High School with the Class of 1966. She married the love of her life, Nicolas Silva, Jr., on October 2, 1971. Together they raised three daughters and were blessed with nearly 53 years of happy memories.
Lena, a hard worker, helped provide for her family with her employment as a production operator for Parker Hannifin in Metamora, Ohio for nearly 20 years prior to her retirement in 2006. Catholic by faith, she was a lifetime parishioner of Light of Christ Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church in Blissfield, where she received all of her Holy Sacraments. She always had a book to read, loved going shopping, and enjoyed listening to Mexican and Country music. She also took pride in beautifying her home, including with flowers in the summer months or holiday decorating during the various seasons. Family was her greatest passion, and later in life she enjoyed the blessings of her grandchildren and attending their sporting events. Lena will always be remembered for being dedicated to her family with her genuine care and concern and her heart of gold.
Surviving in addition to her husband, Nicolas, are their daughters, Victoria Silva of Blissfield, Yolanda (Erich) Bieber of Ottawa Lake, and Consuelo (Kevin) Ellis of Adrian; two sisters, Cuca Rodriguez of Ottawa Lake and Rita Rodriguez of Blissfield; six grandchildren, Trevor, DJ, Dylan, Connor, Sophie, and Jake; and a great-grandson, Damien.
She was preceded in her death by her parents and eight of her siblings, George, Rosa, Ascension, Porfirio, Joey, Felix, Antonio (Linda), and Susie.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. and concluding with words of remembrance and a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass for Evanjelena will be celebrated by Father Jeffrey Poll on Thursday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Light of Christ Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church, Blissfield. Rite of Committal will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Blissfield.
Friends can express sympathies to the family online by visiting the tribute wall at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.