Maria Madalena Silveira, 70, of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 22, 2025, in UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA. She was born on August 1, 1955, in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil, the daughter of Acacio de Silveira Barbosa and Maria Freitas da Silveira and was seventh of twelve children. She was known to family and friends as Madalena.

Madalena worked as a Human Resources representative for Usiminas in Ipatinga, MG, Brazil. Upon immigrating to the United States, she worked as a saleswoman in her sister's jewelry store, Imperial Jewelry in Somerville, MA. Once retired, she returned home to Serra, ES, Brazil, where she loved relaxing on the beach near her home.

Her family was her joy, and caring for them was her greatest work. She is remembered by her children as being one of the most loving, supportive, and selfless mothers any child could have. In addition to raising her two sons, she returned to the U.S. in 2022 to care for her growing grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly.

Family and friends remember her as a welcoming and gracious host who would light up any time she had visitors, quickly trying to feed and serve anyone who came to her home. She is also remembered as the life of the party, full of spirit, and loved any reason to celebrate with family and friends. She was always fun to bring on camping trips and carnivals. Her siblings reflect on how she was a very honest and authentic person; if she didn't like something, she had no problem telling you, but this also meant that you could believe she was sincere whenever she spoke. Even though she experienced many hardships in life, Madalena is remembered as having incredible resilience, never allowing sadness to steal her cheer. Her younger siblings looked to her as a role model that they admired, a special person that one could share moments laughter and tears with. She also had a passion for dancing to Forró music, cooking, and preparing sweet decorative treats for special occasions. She will forever be remembered and hold a special place in the hearts of all who knew her.

Madalena is survived by her two sons, Thulio Miranda and his wife, Camille of Manchester, CT, Thallis Miranda, and his wife, Wendy of Shrewsbury, MA, as well as her two grandchildren, Illiane and Juliano Miranda. She is also survived by several siblings, their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Tuesday August 26 from 6-7:30 PM in the Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.  A funeral service will be held Tuesday at 7:30 PM in the funeral home.  A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 10:00 AM in Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough.  Family and friends may gather at the funeral home at 9:00 AM on Wednesday for procession to the cemetery.  All are invited to sign Maria's online guestbook at collinsfuneral.com.