Barbara (Francis) Silvia of Vineyard Haven died on Friday, Dec. 2 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She was 68.

She was born Dec. 23, 1942 to the late Alfred Francis and the late Adele (Curney) Francis.

Barbara was a lifetime resident of Martha’s Vineyard. She was a graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She married Gilbert Silvia in 1961 and they resided in Vineyard Haven and raised their family. She held employment at the Head Start Preschool, the Martha’s Vineyard Cooperative Bank, and Martha’s Vineyard Insurance Agency until her retirement in 2009.

She was renowned for her volunteer and charitable work, especially her dedication to the Red Stocking Fund. Barbara was a warm-hearted person, known for her generosity, compassion, kindness and dedication with the Red Stocking Fund.

She enjoyed organizing and coordinating this charity. She also was a volunteer for the Tisbury voting polls.

She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her world mainly revolved around her family and their happiness in their journeys of life. In her free time, Barbara enjoyed crosstitch, crocheting and cooking as well as collecting Hummels. She loved people, and it was not unusual for Islanders to drop in and just say hello.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gilbert R. Silvia, in June 2010. She is survived by her children, Kenneth P. Silvia, Michael J. Silvia and his wife, Danelle of Vineyard Haven, and Deborah and her husband Ronald Denoncourt of Plymouth; six grandchildren, Michael G. Silvia, Adam and Travis Lanoie, Antone Silvia, and Jacob and Luke Silvia; and two great-grandchildren, Damon Silvia and Payton Silvia. Barbara is also survived by four siblings: Jean Laramee of East Bridgewater, Everett (Porky) Francis of Edgartown, Alfred Francis of Vineyard Haven, and Mary Nickerson of Chatham.

A funeral service was held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home on Wednesday this week.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Red Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539.

Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.