“Jerry” Silva, 83, made the trip back to be with our Lord on July 15, 2021. She was born on March 14, 1938 in Corydon, Indiana, the second youngest of six children born to Charles and Minnie (Logston) Buckers. Jerry died by her husband David (Chico) Silva Sr., siblings Dwight (Parky) and Clarence, Don & Chuck, and sister Janet.
A loyal friend, sister, mother, wife, aunt, grandmother and grandmother, Jerry inspired us all to do our best and be the best no matter what. “Be tolerant, keep that mood, and be quick to lend a hand”she always said.
During her extraordinary 83-year life, she showered her family with unconditional love, putting both of us first.
A loving and caring mother of three sons, Dave in Nashua, New Hampshire, Lance in Hudson, New Hampshire and Stephen in Hudson, New Hampshire, a passionate grandmother (“Fabulous” in Portuguese) to 12 great-grandchildren and a proud grandmother of 9 great-grandchildren.
Mom has always been our superhero who brought the family together through thick and thin. She has happily gone to the extreme for her family, even suffering a broken arm while trying to skate with her grandchildren on one occasion.
Jerry has worked and retired with major defense contractor Sanders Lockheed after more than 25 years of service in a variety of rewarding positions.
I retired and ran away to sunny Southern California with “The love of his life”David Silva, Sr., where they took “part time” Position as a husband/wife who manages a group of homes for the elderly. Enjoy this adventure a lot, “musical party” get excited “retirement” profession for both. Even after losing her father in 1997, Mom went on for another 24 years, a total of 31, to operate Crestview Mobile Estates in Yucaipa.
There are many extraordinary life events to share about Jerry, but here are a few favorites that you may consider most important to her celebration of life.
Jerry joined the Yucaipa First Baptist Church family in 1997 (now a Grace Point Fellowship), which has solidified and strengthened her faith as a longtime loyal member. She had the good fortune of going on trips around the world to the Holy Land, Greece, Egypt and Turkey. She was adventurous at any age, and some of her most cherished trips to the Dead Sea and camel trips were renamed when she was over seventy.
Besides helping the larger community at Crestview, her favorite activities included voracious reading (including her daily readings of the Scriptures), daily crossword puzzles, playing card games with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and kids, any family get-together and playing bingo whenever possible.
The family surprised Jerry with an unforgettable birthday party when they joined the ranks of the 80’s club 4 years ago. Surrounded by many loving family and friends at the grand celebration, among the guests were people she hadn’t seen in over 30 years and who traveled long distances to honor her on her 80th birthday.
Always kind, generous and rooted in Christian values, she kindly and patiently urged others to follow the teachings of Jesus and immerse themselves in the scriptures. “Always put it in his hands.”You will remember us. She always shared her favorite verses from Ephesians chapter 2:8: “For by grace you are saved, by faith—and not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”.
Even on the toughest days, she greeted the day with a bright, charming smile and upbeat words that inspired us all to do the same.
We miss her so much, but the cherished memories and shared life lessons are still fresh in each of us every day. And rejoice because she is with the Lord, and joyfully reunited with her loved ones.
Mom and Dad’s ashes returned home in New Hampshire in October 2021 for a private family burial at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Bushkawyn, New Hampshire, where they lay side by side until Resurrection. My mother’s favorite charity was Samaritan’s Purse. Commemorative donations can be made in his name by visiting his memorial page at www.samaritanspurse.org.