Enriqueta "Mama Queta" Silva

In Loving Memory of Enriqueta Silva Nacarino.

Born in Lima, Peru, and now resting peacefully in Paramus, New Jersey.

With deep sorrow, the Silva family shares the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Enriqueta Silva Nacarino, who departed peacefully surrounded by her children's love.

Enriqueta was a woman of great faith, gentleness, and devotion. Quiet, selfless, and kind, yet strong and protective, she dedicated her life entirely to her children and her family - her pride and greatest joy. Her soft voice and kind spirit left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her.

Enriqueta was born in Lima, Peru, one of five siblings. Her family suffered a tragedy when her mother died when she was just five years old. Raised by her extended family, this event would leave a lasting impact on Enriqueta.

Enriqueta would later start her family in Lima. She provided for her four young children by sewing, which also happened to be one of her passions. Her children would play around her while she sewed at home and worked hard to support them. Committed to providing a better life for her children, and inspired by her sister Emma, Enriqueta came to the United States. With her sewing skills, in time she was able to get a job in the fashion industry in New York City. The industry was very competitive, and Enriqueta enrolled in night classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to improve her skills, better provide for her family, and further pursue her passion. This enabled her to be employed as a pattern maker for men's suits, which was a more specialized and better paying job. Through her tireless hard work, Enriqueta was able to not only support the rest of her family back in Peru, but was able to buy them an apartment there. Her continued hard work allowed her to eventually develop her family property in Lima, building what is now a four story building that remains a family residence and rental property. It is also home to her own business, Queta's Cafe, where she was able to practice her other passions, cooking and baking. Queta's Café remains open today, being managed by Queta's eldest daughter Janet.

Once her children were full grown and had families of their own, Enriqueta was able to leave her job. She was then able to fully immerse herself in her greatest passion, helping support her children and their families. Enriqueta traveled between all of her children's homes, in Lima and New Jersey, supporting her children's families in their homes and helping to raise her twelve grandchildren. Not fond of being called the customary grandmother name Abuela, she became known as Mama Queta to all of her grandchildren.

Enriqueta's lived example of working hard and selflessly giving her all for better lives for her loved ones has had an immeasurable impact on her family, one that will be felt for generations to come.

Enriqueta is survived by her children Zoila Janet, Carlos Enrique, Lourdes Roxana, and Silvia Verónica, and her twelve grandchildren, who will forever cherish her memory with love and gratitude.

"All rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full;
to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again."
- Ecclesiastes 1:7