Silvia Nunez Fowler

On November 5, 2022, Silvia N. Fowler, 86, passed away peacefully in her home in Salem, Virginia surrounded by her beloved children and grandchildren.

Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 1935, Silvia immigrated to the United States in 1959 and became a U.S citizen in 1980. She was immensely proud to be an American. Silvia worked as a school secretary at Overlook Elementary School in Maryland for over 35 years, where she was often referred to as “Mama Fowler.” She adored the students and faculty and considered them family.

She loved her community at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, where she was an active member of the women’s club and enjoyed cooking and baking for special events. A skilled seamstress, she sewed wedding dresses, baby blankets, children’s clothing, Halloween costumes, and stuffed animals for her loved ones and members of her community. She was notorious for her delicious cakes, especially the chocolate chip pound cake served at many family birthday parties and celebrations. On Sunday afternoons, you could find her watching soccer games with her grandson, cheering on her favorite team, Manchester United.

Above all, she will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and loving heart. She made each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren feel special and loved whenever they came to visit “Gamma’s house.” She was never too shy to share a kind word or a smile with strangers, often befriending grocery store clerks, repairmen, and neighborhood children.

As she said in a letter to her family and friends, “I have loved and been loved by you.” She is survived by her sister Maria, special sister-in-law Zoe, four children, Tony (Molly), Lia (Bryan), Lisa (Art), and Gabriella (Ron); fourteen grandchildren, Andrew, Vincent, Emily (Matt), Nicholas, Conor, Meredith (Sam), Erin (Jason), Alyson, Mary, Lindsey, Meagan, Ethan, Annie, Davis; and four great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Eden, Clara, and Rosalie; and many nephews, nieces and other “adopted” children and grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2022, in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem. A funeral mass will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, November 11th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salem with the Rev. Daniel Cogut officiating. Attendees are encouraged to wear bright colored clothing to celebrate Ms. Fowlers life.

A private graveside service will follow at a later date at East Hill Cemetery in Salem.

Online condolences may be expressed to the Fowler family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.

.