Candelaria Norma Silva wrote children’s books that are meant to be read aloud. They are inspired by the large, loving, close-knit extended family she grew up with in St. Louis, Missouri and her living and rearing her children in Boston, Massachusetts. Her experiences as a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, and a “play-Auntie” means she had many stories to tell!
In addition to being an author, Candelaria was an arts administrator and facilitator of parenting workshops. She connected community-based groups to the arts; coordinates the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; and is Project Manager of the Fellowes Athenaeum Trust Fund for programs at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library.
An active member of Boston’s cultural community, she was Chair of the Designators of the George B. Henderson Foundation, Program Manager for the Fellowes Athenaeum Trust Fund of Boston Public Library, and Coordinator of the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston.
Candelaria Norma Silva-Collins, affectionately known as Candi to family, departed this life on March 24, 2026.
Candelaria Norma Silva-Collins built an impeccable reputation through her dynamic leadership and effective problem-solving abilities. Her many awards include the Arts and Community Leadership Award, Martinis and Masterpieces from the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, as well as the Community Service Award from the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern University and the Roxbury Puddingstone Award from Discover Roxbury.
Massachusetts College of Art & Design will posthumously present their Common Good Award to Candelaria on December 5, 2026.
Jump, Jump, Jump Stacey was named one of 2025’s Best Indie Books by Kirkus Reviews.