Mrs. B. Jean Silva died on May 23 at her home in Woodside Village with her dear friend Susan Silva by her side.

Jean was born on August 29, 1930 in Chicago, but spent her early years in Worcester, Mass. She was the daughter of Alma Beatrice Rugg Norling and Claus Helge Norling.

She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

After working for the Woodbury Company of Worcester, Jean moved to the Vineyard to marry William Silva, who predeceased her. Bill and Jean lived many years in West Tisbury, most on Indian Hill Road. They had one son, David Silva, who also predeceased her.

On the Vineyard she worked for The Flea Market of Vineyard Haven, The Wooden Tent, and builder Harold Dugan of West Tisbury as designer, project manager, and secretary.

Jean moved briefly to North Carolina to be with family before returning to the Island, and Woodside Village in Oak Bluffs.

She is survived by one grandson, Colin Silva, and his mother Evelyn of Prattville, Ala., and brothers Kenneth Norling of Auburn, Mass., and Barry Norling of Norridgewock, Maine. She is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, including special niece Debby Norling.

Jean will be remembered as a caring friend, sister, grandmother, and aunt. She always remembered birthdays and holidays for all her family. Good conversation, counsel, and a wry sense of humor were hers in abundance. Jean was a great lover of antiques, birds, and all things English.

The family would like to thank the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard for their loving care, and special thanks to Susan Silva of West Tisbury,

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, 79 Beach Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

A memorial service in Worcester is being planned.