Obituary of Gloria Felix Silva

Surrounded by those who loved her, Gloria Felix Silva joined her beloved husband Alfredo on Wednesday, November 7, in the comfort of the home they shared together.

Born in Peoria, AZ, in March of 1931 to Trinidad and Maria Felix, Gloria is survived by her brother Robert Felix, and sisters Rosie Valles and Helen Perez. She is preceded in death by her brother Manuel, her sisters Delia, Dora, Celia and Cindy, and her great-granddaughter Isabella Silva.

In addition to her siblings, Gloria leaves behind her children Debra, David (JoAnne), Gloria (Barry), Alfred (Sherry), Jacqueline (Edward), and Jeffrey (Julie).  Gloria was also blessed with 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, with nearly all of whom are ​living nearby. 

Although Gloria was born in Peoria, AZ, she spent most of her youth in Delano, CA.  She moved to Glendale, AZ as a teenager, where she met and married Alfredo. Gloria was close to her 8 brothers and sisters, all of whom shared a love of music and dancing. Maria, Gloria’s mother, was a devout Catholic who passed her love of Christ on to Gloria. It was a faith that sustained her throughout her life.

As the wife of an US Air Force service member, Gloria rose to the challenge of multiple relocations, creating a place to call home for her growing family with each move.  She even filled the role of single parent when Alfredo was on year-long remote tours. After 25 years of travelling across the US, Al and Gloria settled in Tucson, AZ in 1973.

While Alfredo moved on in his career, Gloria continued to focus on her 6 children and their needs. The family continued to grow through marriage and childbirth, each decade bringing more joy and laughter with the addition of each grandchild and great-grandchild.

The OMOS Praise Alive choir offered an opportunity for Gloria and Alfredo to worship the Lord through song and fellowship. For many years they could be found singing at the Sunday 9:00 mass. 

With Gloria’s support and encouragement, Alfredo became a deacon in the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Tucson. They spent 10 years together spreading the word of Christ. While Alfredo lead his flock from the podium, Gloria took communion to the homebound, taught confirmation classes and was an Eucharistic Minister. Sadly, Alfredo’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2006 brought that chapter of their lives to a close.

There will be a pre-mass visitation for all who know her to pay their last respects at 10:00 am this Friday, November 16th, at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Parish (OMOS), 1800 S. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ. Following the viewing the Mass of the Resurrection will begin at 11:00 am.  After the services, burial is at Our Lady of the Desert, located at 2151 S. Avenida Los Reyes, Tucson, AZ. We invite all of you to return to OMOS and join us in the parish hall to celebrate Gloria’s life.