Ann G. (Silva) Viola

Ann G. Viola was born on a farm on August 5, 1930 in Arlington. She was the only daughter of four children born to the late Italian immigrants Gaetano and Mary (Nicoli) Silva. It was a lively household with parents, three brothers, as well as cousins, her aunt and uncle all living together in one farm house. It was a simple time with skating, sledding, playing her piano and tending the goats and chickens. They always had company with lots of cousins visiting. Grandma made pasta and Grandpa made homemade wine to go with it. A graduate of Arlington High School with the class of 1948 she then attended the Hickox Secretarial School in Boston.

In the early 1950's while awaiting a train at the Harvard Square subway station Ed Viola noticed a beautiful young, vibrant red head who happened to be a friend of one of his good buddy's. He asked her to accompany him on a date and when she told him she would be away in St. Louis he accepted it as gentle 'no thank you'. He soon received a post card from St. Louis from Ann.

After a delightful courtship the couple later married in her parish church of St. Agnes in Arlington on December 27, 1952. After eight years in Arlington, they made Watertown their much-loved home for 58 years. Ann loved making the house a home, tending to her gardens and flowers, preparing both simple dinners and large family gatherings for special occasions and holidays. Many weekends were spent visiting her three brothers' families who each had a cottage on Arlington Pond in New Hampshire along with all their nieces and nephews. They enjoyed water skiing in the summer and ice hockey in the winter with Ann as the goalie using a shovel.

Ann's brothers, nieces, and nephews frequently called her for her sage advice, always clear, open and honest. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her wonderful husband Ed, three children and five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren. Ann and Ed enjoyed traveling and had many vacations abroad together often with their children. When they were not traveling, they enjoyed their home in Centerville on Cape Cod where the children and grandchildren all enjoyed the beach and her scrumptious cooking and beautiful gardens and continued to build many wonderful memories. In later years they also enjoyed going to the opera, playing bridge, and dining out with dear friends and family.

Ann and Ed moved to the Wingate Residences at Needham early 2020 and met many new friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredibly professional and kind staff for all they did to make Ann welcome and comfortable in the next phase of her life.

Ann G. Viola passed away suddenly Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. She had just turned 91 on August 5th.

Ed and Ann enjoyed 69 magical years together. He says… 'Ann was the best thing that ever happened in my life and the world's most wonderful wife, mother and grandmother'.

Ann is survived by her husband of 69 years, the Honorable Edward M. Viola, her children, Michael E. Viola and his wife, Marianne Tyrrell of Hamilton, New Jersey, Valerie J. Viola and her life partner, Frederick Fleisher of Needham and John C. Viola of Framingham; her grandchildren, Edward M. Viola and his partner, Lee Knight, Renee Maher, Allison Viola and her partner, Brian Shaw, Jessica Tyrrell and her significant other, Ronald Rodier, and Alexandria Tyrrell; great-grandchildren Luke, Niomi, Austin, Hunter, Ryder, Charlize, Juliana, and Braelyn; sister of the late Victor, Louis and Charles Silva; also survived by many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ann's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, September 2nd from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Patrick's Church, 212 Main Street, Watertown where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Committal prayers to follow in Newton Cemetery Chapel, Newton.

Those wishing to view Ann's services may do so via this link on Friday morning: https://my.gather.app/remember/ann-viola

Ann's family politely requests that guests wear face coverings at all services.

Memorials in her name may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 (www.jimmyfund.org)