Brenda Lee Silvi

Brenda Lee (Joy) Silvi, age 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, surrounded by her loving family. She was born at the Naval Hospital in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on February 15, 1954, to the late Llyod Graven and Barbara (Holden) Reed. Brenda grew up in Needham and attended Saint Bartholomew Church’s Elementary School before her family settled in Walpole. She continued her education at Walpole High School, where she formed lifelong friendships and graduated in the Class of 1972. During high school, Brenda loved spending summers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with family, which led her to attend Northern Michigan University for two years. She later earned her bachelor’s degree at Framingham State College, including a semester abroad at Valencia University in Spain, and graduated in 1977.

Brenda married her beloved husband, and high school sweetheart, Peter L. Silvi, on August 18, 1979, at her childhood church, Saint Bartholomew’s in Needham. The couple made their home in Nashua, New Hampshire, where Brenda started her teaching career in the language arts department at Pennichuck Middle School. Twelve years later, she moved to Nashua High School North, where she became the Head Teacher of World Language, and taught Spanish for fifteen years, inspiring countless students. Brenda was also deeply involved in helping others—she was the founder of the first outreach program to support underprivileged children living in the Major Drive Community. Every year, with the help of her students, they would collect school supplies, and host Halloween and Christmas parties to give gifts straight from Santa. Her passion for education extended into the arts, where she led cultural and educational programs at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. In 2025, Nashua High School North’s Chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society was even named in her honor, a testament to her dedication to teaching and making a difference in children’s lives and leaving a lasting legacy.

Travel was one of Brenda’s greatest joys. She loved hitting the open road to explore new places, especially making trips to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to visit friends and family. Her true happy place was spending time at her family's home on Seconsett Island in Mashpee. As her own children grew, Brenda and Peter enjoyed summers on the Cape in Wellfleet, renting a house each year or staying at their favorite place, The Wellfleet Motel. Brenda was also eager to take her students on exciting trips abroad to Spain, Costa Rica, or Mexico. Later in life, her love of the ocean brought her and Peter to settle in Vero Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed the beach life together, sadly for just a short time.

Brenda took pride in caring for her home, constantly updating and decorating. Whether painting walls, hanging new wallpaper, or rearranging furniture, she kept her space lively and inviting. Outside, she was the go-to gardener, making sure her yard was always beautifully maintained. Even amidst her busy days, Brenda cherished quiet moments—often spending time working on countless jigsaw puzzles. Autumn Sundays were special in her household, as she enthusiastically cheered for her beloved Patriots and Tom Brady.

Beloved wife of Peter L. Silvi.

Loving mother of Breanne Marie Silvi and her husband James Conners of Attleboro, Nathan Tejeda of Andover, New Hampshire, and the late Anthony Joseph Silvi.

Cherished grandmother of Breanna Grace Tejeda.

Sister of Cindy Graven of Nashua, New Hampshire, Evan MacDonald of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Jerry Helton of Summefield, Florida, Rebecca Greer and her husband David of Lenoir, North Carolina, Patricia Helton of Lenoir, North Carolina, the late Judy Helton, and the late Robert Helton.

Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Brenda's Life Celebration, which falls on her Birthday, Sunday, February 15th, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will follow at 4:00 pm. Following the service, everyone is welcome back to Hillside Johnny’s in Norton, MA to celebrate the love we all have for Brenda. Interment will take place privately at Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brenda's name may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at 223 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60606 or by visiting https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/