Ana Bienvenu

Ana Paula (DaSilva) Bienvenu passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the age of 55, with her husband by her side. Ana was a truly amazing person. Unfortunately, like so many others, Ana had the misfortune of suffering terribly from the cruel ravages of cancer for the past several years. Referred to by her middle name as “Paula” or “Paulina” by her large Portuguese family, Ana was born in Ponta Delgata, San Miguel, Azores, the daughter of Maria Valentina DaSilva of Somerville, Massachusetts and the late Manuel DaSilva. Ana moved to the United States as a young child, eventually settling in Somerville, Massachusetts. After getting married, she and husband Jay built a house in Southern NH and settled there to raise their son Bryce and meet many wonderful friends. Ana was an outstanding mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She loved simple pleasures the most, such as sitting at the kitchen table or on the outdoor deck chatting with family or friends for hours with a cup of coffee or an occasional glass of red wine. Ana had a laugh that was infectious and made everyone around her laugh right along with her. Those of us fortunate to have known Ana witnessed her unbelievable work ethic. She was a homebody, where she loved to cook and clean, and was meticulous with everything she did. For Ana, work always came first and she rarely took time to relax, much to the chagrin of her husband. At the same time, Ana had a flair for style and fashion, always dressing with class and simple elegance. Ana loved to entertain guests at her house, which she kept spotless. She generously enjoyed helping and caring for others, and was particularly drawn to the very young as well as the elderly, caring for and supporting them whenever she had the opportunity. Ana was small in stature but huge in spirit. She had an enormous heart but could be tough when she needed to be. Known as always direct and honest, Ana never sugarcoated issues and was a straight shooter. She tackled problems head on and never shied away from any challenges that came her way, including her cancer diagnosis, which she fought through while never complaining or feeling sorry for herself. Ana grew into an animal lover after adopting rescue dog Tucker over a decade ago and who became her very loyal companion, staying close by her side throughout her struggles with cancer. Ana had a long and successful career in public service, commuting to and from Boston for decades via the commuter train, where she met several friends over the years. Ana is survived and missed dearly by her husband Jay, son Bryce, many friends and family, and her furry companion Tucker. Ana made a mark on many, many lives and is deeply missed. After the suffering Ana has endured over several years, she deserves to rest in peace. A special thank you to the many, many medical professionals that provided wonderful care for Ana throughout her battle with cancer, including those at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Community Hospice House, and countless others. Ana’s family is also very grateful for the friends and family members who visited and supported her throughout the final stages of her struggle, with particular gratitude for her close friend Sheri, who was tremendously helpful and amazing in every way possible. Following cremation, a Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, April 3rd at 11:00am in St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road in Hudson, NH. All may meet at church. Burial will take place at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Ana with an extra act of kindness - call an old friend, check on an elderly neighbor, donate to a charity or cause that is meaningful to you, or enrich your life greatly by adopting a rescue animal that deserves a safe and loving home.