Shirley A. Silvia

PORTSMOUTH, RI - Shirley A. Peary Silvia, 76, of 37 Ladeira Avenue, Portsmouth, RI died Saturday October 1, 2005 at New England Medical Center, Boston. She was the wife of Douglas Silvia of Portsmouth, RI. Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 7, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Violet Crane Peary. Mrs. Silvia was a founding member and past president of the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse. In May of 2005 when the renovations were completed, the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse honored Shirley with the John Ganze Award, named after the last lighthouse keeper at Plum Beach Lighthouse. She was instrumental in the preservation and restoration of the lighthouse. Mrs. Silvia was also a charter member and past president of the Ida Lewis Doll Club of Newport and ran a doll repair shop from her home. She was also a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Middletown. Besides her husband she is survived by her children John Zabriskie of Hopkinton, RI, Faith Zabriskie of Bedford, TX, a step-son Douglas R. Silvia of Proctorville, VT, and four grandchildren. Her funeral will be held on Thursday October 6, 2005 from the Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth at 10:00am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 in the Calvary United Methodist Church, at the corner of Turner Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday October 5, 2005 from 5PM-8PM in the Connors Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse Inc., PO Box 1041, North Kingstown, RI 02852.