Contributions to the tribute of Allen Silva

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Monica Wood uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

My name is Monica Wood. I’m Allen and Carol’s daughter. If you couldn’t tell from the video, my dad was an adventurer. Which made being born with a club foot a difficult beginning in the world. He married a woman who didn’t consider herself an adventurer, however, more often than not, her answer to my dad’s quests was yes. So, they could be found catching the wind and soaring over sand dunes on hang gliders, sailing the seas, zipping through the very tree tops of the Redwood Forest on the longest zip line, or parasailing in tropical waters. Even as his body began to fail him, he couldn’t give up the thrill of adventure, and my mom continued to say yes. An example of a recent quest was fueled by my dad’s love of visiting beautiful places on the water. He wanted to go to Discovery Bay. However, the fact that my mother is blind and my dad couldn’t drive, really put a wrench in things. So my mom set to work on a plan to make my dad’s wish come true. And there they were, bright and early standing outside their house waiting for Dial-a-Ride. My dad was in his ruby red electric chair, donning his favorite Hawaiian shirt, the taste of adventure settling on his tongue. My mom waited next to him, alongside their wagon. Their suitcase snuggly wedged on one side, while their cooler filled the other. They rode Dial a ride to downtown Shelton, and transferred to a bus. Then from downtown Shelton they travelled to the county line at Triton Cove, which was a little park in the woods, off the beaten path. The bus left….and there they waited, alone. When the driver arrived, he found a blind woman and a little old man in an electric chair waiting patiently for him out in the middle of no where. As he was tying down the wagon in his otherwise empty bus, he mentioned that if he needed another tie down they would have to get off the bus because normally they did not allow wagons. Looking around at the empty bus, my mom wasn’t worried. The bus did fill with passengers, none the less, they made it all the way to Safeway in Port Townsend without being ejected. They bought and loaded their groceries in the cooler. The same bus driver returned and let them load first. After a couple of stops-the bus was full once again. Even the aisles were full. At the next stop, my mom heard whispering among the passengers…”Oh no, he’s in a wheel chair!” As my mom sat wondering if they were going to be put out on the side of the road, the bus driver quickly called Dial-a-Ride to arrange a pick up, explained to the man who was waiting that another bus was on its way and they continued their journey. More folly arose such as a long steep driveway with a cantankerous wagon. but the driver had fallen in love with them by now and ended up arranging for a county guest pass with Dial a Ride so they could have essentially door to door service on their return home. That adventure is a great analogy to my parents’ life. A lot of ups and downs, a God who’s watching over them, and people who fall in love with them along the way. My Mom is magic that way. As I’ve been reflecting, something I’m so grateful for is this last year of his life. After my dad was given 6 months to a year to live, he softened. It was as if he finally allowed God to truly love him, believed God could love him, and in that act he was filled with gratitude in a way I had never seen. Instead of being filled with striving and wanting, he found contentment. Instead of a passing compliment to my mother, he was deeply grateful and appreciative of a woman who has loved him almost her whole life. I’m so grateful he lived long enough to make that transformation and that I got to see it. It was worth the wait. In his last week, he would wake up each morning and say; “I’m here! I made it!” He was so happy he’d made it to another day with us. He could hardly believe it! I can only imagine on February 19th, him waking up in an entirely new place and saying the exact same thing; “I’m here! I made it!”

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Monica Wood posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

My name is Monica Wood. I’m Allen and Carol’s daughter. If you couldn’t tell from the video, my dad was an adventurer. Which made being born with a club foot a difficult beginning in the world. He married a woman who didn’t consider herself an adventurer, however, more often than not, her answer to my dad’s quests was yes. So, they could be found catching the wind and soaring over sand dunes on hang gliders, sailing the seas, zipping through the very tree tops of the Redwood Forest on the longest zip line, or parasailing in tropical waters. Even as his body began to fail him, he couldn’t give up the thrill of adventure, and my mom continued to say yes. An example of a recent quest was fueled by my dad’s love of visiting beautiful places on the water. He wanted to go to Discovery Bay. However, the fact that my mother is blind and my dad couldn’t drive, really put a wrench in things. So my mom set to work on a plan to make my dad’s wish come true. And there they were, bright and early standing outside their house waiting for Dial-a-Ride. My dad was in his ruby red electric chair, donning his favorite Hawaiian shirt, the taste of adventure settling on his tongue. My mom waited next to him, alongside their wagon. Their suitcase snuggly wedged on one side, while their cooler filled the other. They rode Dial a ride to downtown Shelton, and transferred to a bus. Then from downtown Shelton they travelled to the county line at Triton Cove, which was a little park in the woods, off the beaten path. The bus left….and there they waited, alone. When the driver arrived, he found a blind woman and a little old man in an electric chair waiting patiently for him out in the middle of no where. As he was tying down the wagon in his otherwise empty bus, he mentioned that if he needed another tie down they would have to get off the bus because normally they did not allow wagons. Looking around at the empty bus, my mom wasn’t worried. The bus did fill with passengers, none the less, they made it all the way to Safeway in Port Townsend without being ejected. They bought and loaded their groceries in the cooler. The same bus driver returned and let them load first. After a couple of stops-the bus was full once again. Even the aisles were full. At the next stop, my mom heard whispering among the passengers…”Oh no, he’s in a wheel chair!” As my mom sat wondering if they were going to be put out on the side of the road, the bus driver quickly called Dial-a-Ride to arrange a pick up, explained to the man who was waiting that another bus was on its way and they continued their journey. More folly arose such as a long steep driveway with a cantankerous wagon. but the driver had fallen in love with them by now and ended up arranging for a county guest pass with Dial a Ride so they could have essentially door to door service on their return home. That adventure is a great analogy to my parents’ life. A lot of ups and downs, a God who’s watching over them, and people who fall in love with them along the way. My Mom is magic that way. As I’ve been reflecting, something I’m so grateful for is this last year of his life. After my dad was given 6 months to a year to live, he softened. It was as if he finally allowed God to truly love him, believed God could love him, and in that act he was filled with gratitude in a way I had never seen. Instead of being filled with striving and wanting, he found contentment. Instead of a passing compliment to my mother, he was deeply grateful and appreciative of a woman who has loved him almost her whole life. I’m so grateful he lived long enough to make that transformation and that I got to see it. It was worth the wait. In his last week, he would wake up each morning and say; “I’m here! I made it!” He was so happy he’d made it to another day with us. He could hardly believe it! I can only imagine on February 19th, him waking up in an entirely new place and saying the exact same thing; “I’m here! I made it!”

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Nancy Jastrow uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, July 14, 2024

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Carol, what a beautiful celebration of Allen's Life. It was well planned and filled with great memories, beautiful pictures, touching speeches, inspiration songs and the power of the Holy Spirit was present, especially during the worship session. May you and your entire family embrace our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior as you move forward in your grief. May the Comfort that comes from God himself through the Holy Spirit surround you continually. We love you, Keith and Nancy Jastrow

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Ed 7 Shirley Bartolat9 posted a condolence

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Dear Carol We are so glad we were able to share in the wonderful memories of time spent with both of you. Ed and Shirley Bartolat

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Wheatleys posted a condolence

Saturday, July 13, 2024

We have fond memories of Allen’s eternal optimism. Always smiling and believing. We love you, Dotty & Dale

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Stephen Wood posted a condolence

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Carol , We love you. Stephen Wood

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Nancy Jastrow posted a symbolic gesture

Sunday, March 24, 2024

We send our condolences to you Carol and to your whole family at this difficult time. May God's hand of comfort be on you all as you miss your husband, dad, brother, and friend. His memory will be in our hearts until we see him again someday in the presence or our Lord and Savior.

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Nancy Jastrow uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, March 23, 2024

The memories we will always have of Allen is his love for Jesus Christ. There was always a smile on his face, even when things may have been difficult. His Testimony for Jesus Christ was evident with the joy of the Holy Spirt that overflowed from his heart to others. As the Mayor of his block, he always had big dreams. His visions always seemed to include helping others. He had the best garden on the block with his exquisite gardening skills. But most of all his strong love for his dear wife Carol was clear to see. Carol was the apple of his eye. It was easy to love everything about Allen. His memory will always be dear in our hearts. Allen we love you. Some day we will meet again in the presence of our Savior and King of Kings, Jesus Christ. See you then Allen.

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Jan Bennett uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Allen will be very missed by us and all his church family from Calvary Fellowship of Shelton Washington. Allen was such a kind, caring and joyful man. We are grateful to have known him! Jan and John Bennett

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Christine Over posted a condolence

Friday, February 23, 2024

My deepest of sympathy for my aunt Carol, cousins Monica, Mark and Monte and the rest of the family. So many memories come flooding back as I reflect on his life with all of you. He was a family man with the deepest faith. Through all of his life he let his faith guide him and I am sure you are comforted by this during this hard time. I have never seen a marriage with such strong love as my aunt and uncle had for one another. Most of us could only be so lucky. I pray that the love all of you had for one another, along with the memories you shared help ease your sadness . I will always remember his infectious laugh and bigger than life smile. God Bless all of you, Christine

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Sandra Souza posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Carole and family, so sorry to hear of Merle’s passing! He was such a godly man after God’s own heart! I enjoyed when he would call telling me about his beautiful family and telling me of his growing up years in the delta and surrounding areas! He was definitely a man of compassion and kindness! God and family was his life! Praying for peace and comfort in the days to come for Carol and family! God bless! Sandy Souza

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Bruce Colebank posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

This fine brother of mine has prayed for me since the 90s. Every time I would see him or talk to him on the phone he would not say goodbye until he had prayed for me and my bride. I will see him again but I miss him now.

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The family of Allen Silva uploaded a photo

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A Memorial Tree was planted for Allen Silva

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

Allen Silva

1944 - 2024

Plant a tree in memory of Allen