Callie Silva died after a brief illness on Dec. 12 at Whittier Hospital in Westborough. She was 67.

She was born in Beaumont, Tex., to Anthony and Barbara (Vondermull) Silva. They moved back to the Vineyard when Callie was young and added a brother, Bruce, to the family.

Callie was a very caring and generous person who at times was misunderstood. She was a loyal friend to the end. She wore several hats in her adult working career, and the one she was most fond of was working for Bill Luce at the Mobil Station at Five Corners where Citgo is now. She loved to drive the tow truck and said that Bill was the best boss she ever had. She also worked for Cronig’s Market when it was on Main street in Vineyard Haven.

She loved to care for people and pets. You could find her pet sitting at homes all over the Vineyard or caring for Island elderly. She looked forward to taking her Aunt Clara out of Windemere Nursing Home to lunch at Linda Jean’s.

She was also a volunteer for Hospice, where she cared for the sick and dying, even if it was only to read to them or hold their hand.

Callie greeted voters for several years at the polls in Chilmark on voting days.

She had a great love for cats. Her most favorite kitty was Fluffer, pictured here with her. Another love for Callie was the Flying Horses Carousel. She came this summer and climbed up on a horse to catch the rings and she happened to be beside Mary Steenburgen and her grandchild. That just made her week, that and her trip to Gios for some fried clams.

Although Callie was raised on the Vineyard, she also had a love for her second home in Falmouth, where she moved after the passing of her partner of 34 years, Rusty.

For the past year and a half Callie lived at Atria Woodbriar in Falmouth and made many friends there. Although she was a resident, she found great pleasure in being able to help others.

Callie had a wonderful sense of humor, although dry at times. She would tell it like it is and that’s a good trait to have; right up until her final days her sarcasm rang through. She joked with nurses and family.

She fought a courageous battle over the last month and she fought hard. God had other plans, apparently he needed more help in heaven. Callie was so generous that she was an organ donor and was able to provide corneas, giving someone else the gift of sight.

It was rare to see Callie without a camera. She loved to take pictures and some were pretty unique, especially the one that she took of her cats dining with skunks and raccoons on the porch of the house she shared with Rusty in Chilmark.

As much as Callie loved to help others, she also was a very private person and asked to have no funeral service. If you would like to donate in her name to the MSPCA or Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard that would have made her smile.

Callie was predeceased by her father and stepmother, Anthony and Bea Silva, her mother, Barbara Vondermull, and her brother Bruce. Callie leaves behind many cousins along with a small circle of true friends.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.