Wilma Da Silva

Wilma Da Silva, aged 93 passed away peacefully of natural causes on February 19, 2025 in Ottawa, Canada. Born on December 21, 1931, in Neuenhaus, Kreis Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany, she lived a life filled with love, adventure, resilience, and joy. 

Wilma was predeceased by her siblings, Gerhard, Inge, and Werner; and her husband of 58 years, Francis (Frank) Da Silva who passed away in 2016. She is survived by her two sons, Frank Jr. and Gregory, their wives, Nano, and Mazako, respectively; her three granddaughters, Melodie, Sandra, and Isabelle; her grandson-in-law Joshua; and great-grandson, Theodore.

Wilma's life was marked by adventure and forward-thinking. Born on the Dutch/German border, she survived World War II as a child. In 1957, she boldly went to Canada by boat to learn English, where she met her future husband, Frank Da Silva, at a German dance club in Toronto. Together, they raised a family and welcomed grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Wilma's career as a bank teller at the RBC honed her financial acumen, allowing her to own a house without a mortgage and support her son's successful tech entrepreneurship. 

Wilma embraced technology trends and diverse interests. She was an avid reader, loved music and dancing with her husband, and enjoyed culinary adventures from sushi to curry. Her passion for global travel, gardening, and home decorating reflected her zest for life. Wilma's unique perspective was often captured in her saying, "What you want and what you get are two different things!" Wilma's passion for education culminated in her wish to establish a University of Toronto scholarship for aspiring female engineers. Her innovative spirit, exemplified by her bold move to Canada, her appreciation for diverse cultures, and her forward-thinking perspective, inspired all who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Those wishing to honor Wilma's memory are invited to attend a celebration of life service and reception on March 15th at 2:00 pm at 155 Dalhousie Street, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Toronto Botanical Garden in her name