Silvia Melania Diaz

SALEM- Silvia Melania Diaz, of Salem, passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The beloved wife of the late Rafael Emilio Villar Gonzalez, she would have celebrated her 89th birthday in a few short weeks, on New Year’s Eve.

Born in Bani, Dominican Republic to the late Esequiel Diaz and Altagracia Gonzalez, Silvia began her journey to the United States in 1979, making her way first to Puerto Rico before eventually settling in Salem in 1983. She worked hard to make a home for her children to join her. She was employed for many years at Parker Brothers.

Silvia made the most of her time and enjoyed a very full life. She loved playing bingo with her family during holidays. She spent her time crocheting or in the kitchen, cooking up her family’s favorite dishes. She loved dancing to her favorite music. She was fond of traveling, visiting her favorite people and exploring somewhere new. Silvia was a very loving woman who liked nothing more than opening her home to family and friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Rafael, she is predeceased by her son, Melvin Avalo Villar. She is lovingly survived by her children, Ladisla Villar of Boston, Glennis Villar and her husband Jose Luis Perez of Salem, Carilde Moreta of Salem, Rafael Villar and his wife Milagros Villar of Florida and Judith Villar and her husband Nestor McKinney of Salem, as well as her siblings, Rosario, Aristida, Yolanda, Argentina and Silfredo Diaz and Andres Cabrera. She was the cherished Abuela to 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq. (at Salem Common), SALEM, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM. A graveside service will take place on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10 AM at Greenlawn Cemetery, 57 Orne Street, Salem. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Silvia Melania Diaz, de Salem, falleció en su casa, rodeada de su querida familia, el domingo 14 de diciembre de 2025. Esposa del difunto Rafael Emilio Villar Gonzalez, habría cumplido 89 años dentro de pocas semanas, en la víspera de Año Nuevo.

Nacida en Baní, República Dominicana, hija de los difuntos Esequiel Díaz y Altagracia González, Silvia comenzó su viaje a Estados Unidos en 1979, llegando primero a Puerto Rico antes de establecerse finalmente en Salem en 1983. Trabajó arduamente para crear un hogar donde sus hijos pudieran reunirse con ella. Trabajó durante muchos años en Parker Brothers.

Silvia aprovechó al máximo su tiempo y disfrutó de una vida plena. Le encantaba jugar al bingo con su familia. Pasaba su tiempo tejiendo o en la cocina, preparando los platos favoritos de su familia. Le encantaba bailar al ritmo de su música favorita. Le apasionaba viajar, visitar a sus seres queridos y descubrir nuevos lugares. Silvia era una mujer muy cariñosa a la que no había nada que le gustara más que abrir las puertas de su casa a familiares y amigos.

Además de sus padres y su esposo, Rafael, le precedió en la muerte su hijo, Melvin Avalo Villar. Le sobreviven con cariño sus hijos, Ladisla Villar de Boston, Glennis Villar y su esposo José Luis Pérez de Salem, Carilde Moreta de Salem, Rafael Villar y su esposa Milagros Villar de Florida y Judith Villar y su esposo Nestor McKinney de Salem, así como sus hermanos, Rosario, Aristida, Yolanda, Argentina y Silfredo Díaz y Andrés Cabrera. Fue la querida abuela de 18 nietos y 19 bisnietos, y también le sobreviven muchos sobrinos y sobrinas.