Barbara G. Silva's Obituary
Barbara Grove Silva of Leesburg, FL passed away at the age of 89 on January 1, 2026.
Barbara was born in Pottstown, PA on September 16, 1936 at the height of the Great Depression. During her early childhood, Barbara saw her beloved father Clifford Grove enlist in the US Navy, serving his country in the Pacific theater of World War II while her mother Anna joined the ranks of countless “Rosie the Riveters” working in the steel factories of eastern Pennsylvania. After the war, the Grove family welcomed daughter Sandra, who became Barbara’s lifelong companion and support system until Barbara’s last day.
At Pottstown High School, Barbara discovered two of her great passions - singing in the choral group and nursing. Barbara was an active member of the Pottstown Band Melody Maids and sang semi-professionally in local bands after graduating in 1954. She soon matriculated in the Montgomery Hospital School of Nursing in Norristown, PA and graduated top of her class and served as class president during her three years at the school.
Barbara moved to northern New Jersey to begin her nursing career, got married and started a family with the birth of her son Christopher in 1969. Barbara spent the next 25 years as a psychiatric nurse at Overbrook Hospital in Cedar Grove, NJ. She moved from her home in Florham Park, NJ and retired to Leesburg in 1996.
Retirement found Barbara busier than ever. She served many years on the health care staff of Somerset Assisted Living and Memory Care of Tavares, offering her warm and attentive care to the residents, as well as working part-time at Ellen’s Hallmark where her collection of cat-themed knick-knacks was nurtured.
In her golden years, Barbara had the time to go back to her love of song. She became an active member of the Sound of Sunshine Show Chorus which competed regularly in the Sweet Adelines International Competitions and performed annually at Walt Disney World’s holiday festivities.
Barbara’s family will greatly miss her. She is survived by her son Christopher, his wife Olga and Barbara’s grandchildren, Laura and Paul; her sister Sandra Cushman and nephews Ernest and Gregory and their families; and her cat Demi Jo, the last of the dozens of felines that were the recipient of Barbara’s dedication, energy and love throughout her 89 years. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name to Hoffmeyer Animal Rescue of Tavares, FL would be appreciated.
We will be coming together to remember Barbara at Stephenson, Hamlin & Hilbish on January 8th from 3 to 5 pm. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10th at Holy Dormition Byzantine Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, FL.
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