Anne Silveira, long time member of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, reacts to seeing a crowd of people waiting for her at the dedication of the “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center” at Oxford Terrace on 6/15/23, as her fellow board members share the moment, L-R: Anne, Carol Alfonso, Ronnie Manzone, Timothy Francis. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Housing Authority honored long time member Anne Silveira “For a lifetime of caring for others,” with the dedication the “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center,” on Thursday, 6/15, at the main office at Oxford Terrace.
FHA Chairperson Carol Alfonso said the day marked a “special dedication to a woman who has truly made a difference.”
She said they were celebrating Ms. Silveira as a “mother, a healthcare icon, and a truly dedicated town official.”
Ms. Silveira served in many capacities in her decades on the FHA board working diligently to give residents a “safe, affordable, well-kept housing option, with her eye again and again on bettering the lives of others,” said Ms. Alfonso.
Ms. Silveira has also been a mentor to other FHA members.
“Her smile and demeanor have truly been fresh air to everyone she meets,” said Ms. Alfonso.
She said the were dedicated the most important department to a “true icon,” dedicating the administration center to “a wonderful, well deserving lady.”
Anne Silveira, long time member of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, flashes her signature smile as she poses in front of the plaque and door of the newly named “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center” at Oxford Terrace at the dedication on 6/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
“I’m shocked,” said Ms. Silveira, whose expression showed just that as she walked down the stairs to the lobby of Oxford Terrace after the FHA meeting upstairs.
She said she was surprised to see her family and so many friends there. Included in the group were some nurses she had mentored over the years as a charge nurse and Emergency Room nurse.
“It’s a nice honor after all the hard work she’s done quietly over the years,” said Anne’s son Walter Silveira III, adding that she helped “everyone.”
When he and his sisters were kids, he said, their mother would get calls often. She would quietly, nine times out of ten, “get the job done.”
“She would never brag, never act like a big shot,” said Mr. Silveira. “She’s very humble.”
“This is Fairhaven at its finest,” said Elaine Rocha.
Anne’s grandson Kyle Hurley took the day off from his job in Boston to be there.
Anne Silveira, long time member of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, poses with her family in front of the plaque and door of the newly named “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center” at Oxford Terrace at the dedication on 6/15/23, L-R: daughter-in-law Lori Silveira; grandson Kyle Hurley (back); daughter-in-law Lisa Thibeault; daughter Martha Silveira; daughter Audrey Hurley; Anne; son Walter Silveira III. Photo by Beth David.
“I’m not surprised at all,” said Mr. Hurley, adding he was proud of his grandmother. “She’s always been the most selfless person I know.”
“She’s a living legend,” said fellow FHA member Ronnie Manzone, adding she ran for the board because of Ms. Silveira. “She’s a wonderful person. She has so much energy, and she cares so much about these people. It’s amazing.”
“She’s super,” said FHA member Timothy Francis. “And she’s a mentor to so many people. She’s just a good lady and has a great heart.”
“I’m happy to serve with her,” said FHA member Gary Souza. “We all love her.”
He said she has indicated this will be her last term after decades of serving on the board.
“We wanted to make sure we honored her the way she deserves to be honored,” said Mr. Souza.
Anne Silveira (seventh from left), long time member of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, poses with some of the nurses she mentored when she was a charge nurse and ER nurse, at the dedication of the “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center” at Oxford Terrace on 6/15/23. Photo by Beth David.
Anne Silveira, long time member of the Fairhaven Housing Authority, poses with her fellow board members at the dedication of the “Anne D. Silveira Administration Center” at Oxford Terrace on 6/15/23, L-R: Gary Souza, Carol Alfonso, Anne, Ronnie Manzone, Timothy Francis. Photo by Beth David.
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