Ella Geraldine (Backherms) Silva
“Gerri” Silva, 83, made the journey home to be with our Lord on July 15th, 2021. She came into the world on March 14th, 1938 in Corydon, IN, the second youngest of 6 children born to Charles and Minnie (Logston) Backherms. Gerri was pre-deceased by her husband David (Chico) Silva Sr. and brothers Dwight (Barky), Clarence, Don & Chuck, and sister Janet.
A devoted friend, sister, mother, wife, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, Gerri inspired us all to do the very best and be the very best, no matter the circumstances. “Be forgiving, hold on to that temper and be quick to lend a helping hand”, she would always say.
Over her exceptional 83-year life, she showered her family with unconditional love, putting us all first.
A nurturing and loving Mother to 3 sons, Dave in Nashua, New Hampshire, Lance in Hudson, New Hampshire and Steven in Hudson, New Hampshire an adoring grandmother (“Vava” in Portuguese) to 12 grandchildren and proud great-grandmother to 9 great-grandchildren.
Mom was always our Superhero who held the family together through thick and thin. She happily went to any extreme for her family, even enduring a broken arm while trying to roller skate with her grandchildren on one occasion.
Gerri worked and retired from large defense contractor Sanders Lockheed after 25-plus years of service in a variety of rewarding positions.
She retired and escaped to sunny Southern California with the “love of her life”, David Silva, Sr., where they took on a “part time” position as a husband/wife team managing a senior home community. Enjoying this adventure so much, this “gig” turned into a passionate “retirement” career for both. Even after losing Dad in 1997, Mom carried on 24 more years, totaling 31, managing Crestview Mobile Estates in Yucaipa.
There are many extraordinary life events to share about Gerri, but here are some favorites she would consider most important to her celebration of life.
Gerri joined the First Baptist Church family in Yucaipa in 1997 (now Grace Point Fellowship) which nurtured and strengthened her faith as a long-time dedicated member. She was blessed with global excursions to the Holy Land, Greece, Egypt and Turkey. Adventurous at any age, some of her fondest treks were being re-baptized in the Dead Sea and riding a camel while well into her 70’s.
In addition to helping the Crestview senior community, favorite activities included voracious reading (including her go-to daily readings of Scripture), her daily crossword puzzle, card games with her grandkids & great grandkids, any family gathering and playing Bingo whenever possible.
The family surprised Gerri with a memorable birthday bash upon entering the ranks of the Octogenarian Club 4 years ago. Surrounded by so many loving family members and friends at the big celebration, guests included folks she had not seen in 30 plus years who traveled long distances to honor her at her 80th milestone.
Forever kind, generous, and rooted in Christian values, she soothingly and patiently urged others to follow Jesus’ teachings and to immerse themselves in scripture. “Always put it in his hands”, she would remind us. She always shared her favorite verse from Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verse 8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”.
Even on the most challenging of days, she would greet the day with a bright, hypnotic smile and optimistic words that inspired all of us to do the same.
She is greatly missed, but treasured memories and lifetime lessons shared are alive in all of us every day. And we rejoice that she is with the Lord, and joyfully re-united with her loved ones.
Mom’s and Dad’s ashes traveled home to New Hampshire in October 2021 for a private family interment at the New Hampshire State Veterans’ Cemetery in Boscawen, NH where they are joined side-by-side until the Resurrection. Mom’s favorite charity was Samaritan’s Purse. Memorial gifts may be made in her name by visiting her memorial page at www.samaritanspurse.org.