Barbara Whitehead Silva, 93, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts died peacefully at home on Monday, December 2, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Charles “Carlie” Whitehead and Blanche Whitehead of Dartmouth, MA, and mother of Lisa A. Grace, and grandmother of Matthew R. Grace.
Barbara was a graduate of Dartmouth High School. She was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. She donated regularly to the Mattapoisett police and emergency services departments, as well as to United States Veterans. Barbara held her extended family and friends close to her heart. Referred to as Baba by her loved ones, she raised and impacted many generations amongst her family, friends, colleagues, and community.
Barbara was the former President/CEO of First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, starting in the early 1950’s as Treasurer, she served the bank for 45 years. Barbara led their growth from a state-chartered credit union to a federally-chartered credit union in the 1980’s, as well as their expansion from their Bristol county headquarters in New Bedford to several branches and counties throughout Massachusetts.
Barbara was a committed member of the communities in the South Coast of Massachusetts, particularly New Bedford, and was a business leader at a time when women were in the extreme minority. Barbara served many area organizations, including as former Trustee of St. Luke’s Hospital; Board Member of the Massachusetts Small Business Loan Review Board, the United Way, and New Bedford Junior Achievement; Board Member and Chairperson of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) of Massachusetts, and Executive Committee Member of the Economic Development Corporation of Greater New Bedford. She was the first woman inducted into the New Bedford Area Business Hall of Fame in 1985 and received the Citation Award from the American Business Women’s Association in 1987.
A private Funeral Mass will be held for her family. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at the Country Club of New Bedford (where she was a member for over 30 years) on Saturday, December 14, from 11am to 2pm. The celebration is open to all who knew and loved Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made in Barbara’s name to St. Anthony’s Church of Mattapoisett, MA. (https://anthonyandrita.com). Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
