Eve Silvester

Eve R. (Raimondi) Silvester, 99, of West Hartford and Groton Long Point, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on February 4, 2021. She was born on October 17, 1921 in Hartford to Angelo and Josephine Raimondi. Eve was predeceased by her husband, George A. Silvester as well as her three brothers, Thomas, Adam and William Raimondi. She was a graduate of Weaver High School class of 1939 and of Teachers College of Connecticut class of 1943. She was a fourth-grade teacher at the Arsenal school in Hartford, the same school she attended as a child. While a teacher at the Arsenal School, Eve worked to establish the school library and volunteered as an adult literacy instructor. She also assisted in establishing the Hartford Federation of Teachers where she was a founding member. Over the years Eve was active in many civic organizations including the Mark Twain House, the Connecticut Opera Guild and Friends of Elizabeth Park where she was a founding member. She was also deeply involved with Boys’ Town of Italy for many years, which today provides a home to children from over 20 different countries escaping violence, poverty and injustice. Eve was a personal acquaintance of founder Monsignor Carrol Abbing and, together with her close friend Tina Lorenzo, led fundraising efforts that made the Connecticut chapter one of the most successful in the country. Their decades of work supporting Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy earned them a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Eve was a terrific bridge player, frequently organizing tournaments at her home in Hartford. She was a creative and wonderful cook, often hosting large and lively dinner parties for family and friends. Eve married George, the love of her life, in 1947 and together they raised six children, all of whom survive her. They are a son, Mark S. Silvester and wife, Jan Hoerrner of Noank and New York City, a daughter, Lisa A. Silvestri and husband, Peter Hirschl of West Hartford, a daughter, Gina M. Silvester and husband, Ron Banks of New York City, a daughter, Eve M. Silvester and husband, Aldo Benigni of Rome, Italy, a son, George A. Silvestri and wife, Wei of Ossipee, New Hampshire, a son Paul J. Silvester and wife, Lessandra Melo of Greenwich; and seven loving grandchildren, Alexander Hirschl, Jeremy Hirschl, Rose Hirschl, Ascanio Benigni, Maxwell Silvester, George Silvester and Stephen Silvestri. She had a strong sense of social justice and was the guiding light of her family. Her quiet strength was a source of inspiration to those who knew her. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed. The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Iracy dos Santos for her compassionate care. Services will be private. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com