Amelia R. (Silveira) Serpa

Amelia R. (Silveira) Serpa, age 89, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024. Amelia emigrated from Flores, Azores with her husband, Antonio, and their children in 1969 and they settled in Stoughton, MA. Although it was a difficult decision to leave their native country, they hoped to provide their family with a better future and more opportunities. Amelia and Antonio worked diligently to save for a home to raise their family in their new country. Within four years, they realized their dream and purchased a home in Stoughton.

Amelia used her "old country" skills to economize and provide for her family. In the early years she made most of her children's clothes with donated materials. She made jams from the fruit trees in her yard and maintained a garden to provide fresh produce for the family. She quickly learned she could get bonuses for shopping with S&H Greenstamps.... her first sewing machine, vacuum, dishes, etc were all bought with Greenstamps.

Despite consistently working 40-hour weeks and maintaining a household, she still found time for adventure. Summer weekends often involved a road trip. She loved to unfold a map on the dining room table and the family would follow along the route she would layout for the next day.... everyone learned to read a map and follow road signs to help copilot the road trip (one of her many teaching moments). In her typical old country way, a picnic lunch would be packed for the early morning road trip.

Amelia was a talented and meticulous crafter. Whether she was crocheting doilies or lace curtains, knitting bedspreads or quilting she was a perfectionist. She learned how to use the loom and made wool blankets for each family member (from wool she had carded and spun into yarn from the sheep she raised). Amelia loved the challenge of a new project…reupholstering chairs, designing and making new household items, or designing a new garden all brought her immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. In addition to always wanting to learn to improve her hands on techniques, she loved to teach others her new skills.

Amelia was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Antonio, her parents and siblings. She is survived by her children, Octavia Serpa of Centerville, Renato Serpa and Alda Serpa both of Taunton and Nazare Parker and her husband David Parker of Middleboro and their children Alina Parker of Arlington, and Brendan and Evan Parker both of Middleboro. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the US, Canada and the Azores.

Visitation will be held at the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street (Rt. 27), Stoughton, on Thursday January 2nd from 4-7 PM. Funeral will be held the next day, Friday January 3rd at the Funeral Home at 9:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church,  122 Canton Street  in Stoughton at 10:30 AM. 

Amelia felt passionate about helping those less fortunate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony's Food Pantry at https://stoughtoncatholic.org/stanthonys