Silvina Prats (nee Melendez Placeres) of Rochelle Park, formerly of Newark, NJ, born on October 25, 1944 in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, passed peacefully at Hackensack Hospital on March 10, 2025 at the age of 80 years.

Silvina was a gentle, kind, and unassuming woman. She was inviting and easygoing and had a young-at-heart quality. She loved having a good laugh, and seeing the humor in things. She loved hearing salsa music, which usually inspired her to dance skillfully and beautifully to the music, delighting onlookers and provoking admiration, smiles, and their joining in. Despite over twenty years of carrying the cross of severe medical conditions, she had a zest for life and remained enthusiastic, optimistic and kind. She exuded love and tenderness for her loved ones, and carried herself always with grace. Her family delighted her. She enthusiastically embraced spending time with her daughters, whom she viewed as her greatest accomplishments. She was a doting and loving mother, and her absence leaves a gaping hole in our hearts and lives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcelo and Ramona, devoted and loving sister, Natividad (Nati), brothers, Julio, Domingo (Mingo), and Diego. She is survived by her daughters, Elsie Prats and Sylvia Prats-Rossicone, and son-in-law, Daniel Rossicone; brother-in-law, Joseph; husband, Carlos Prats; dearest sister, Carmenluz; loving nieces, Vivian, Sonia and Alicia; several loving nephews and nieces; and six beautiful grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM for visitation at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack. A prayer service will be held 4:30 PM at the funeral home, cremation will be private. To send condolences, for directions, or further information visit: http://www.gentilefuneralservice.com