Born in 1929 in the city of Alegrete, within the state of Rio Grande do Sul, into a family of six siblings, Teresinha Bessie Silveira was fascinated with learning from an early age. He soon decided to devote his life to teaching. Upon completing his studies at the newly created Oswaldo Arana State Institute of Education in the 1940s, he discovered his vocation in teaching.
He moved with his life partner, Jefferson Gomez da Silveira (1922-1999), to neighboring Santiago (RS). Since the beginning of the 1950s, she has been passing on knowledge to generations of children at the Colégio Estadual Apolinário Porto Alegre, where she became director. Among the memories of that time, I would like to mention my amazement with the texts of the student writer of the future Caio Fernando Abreu.
By maintaining his teaching activity, he revived and brought into the world his three children: Nadia, Renan and Marilia, who had died only two months before their mother. His three grandchildren – Amaro, Monica and Cirillo – grew up around him, absorbing life’s lessons with hot water in everyday family circles. He met two of his grandchildren, Martina and Leon, but did not have time to meet the third, Camilo, who was born weeks before his death.
During his 96-year-old life, he witnessed wars, revolutions, coups and dictatorships. At the end of it, she saw, with her children in her arms, her husband being arrested twice and taken from the house to an unknown destination. With no news, he kept the family afloat. Contrary to expectations, he survived to see justice served in the final days of his life.
She was a woman of great culture, and the leader of a unique family. He disbelieved in religions and defended culture and education. She was a good cook, and her specialty was fig jam. A separate seamstress, she sews clothes for her children and nephews. A passionate teacher, she combined teaching with the household tasks that were required of her as a woman. He embodied in his life the social transformations he experienced. He read and taught reading. He lived and taught how to live.
Just like the plane tree characteristic of the plains whose land it was, with a strong and resistant trunk, it planted roots that spread around it. He lived long, and cast a light shadow that protected his family until the end of his life.
In his last wish, he asked that his ashes be returned to Allegret to be deposited at the school where he studied. She died in Santiago on the night of November 26, 2025. She will live on by her example and in the memory of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
column.obituario@grupofolha.com.br
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