Obituary of Allen Silva

On June 27, 1944, in Sacramento CA, a beautiful little baby boy was born and named Merle Allen by his proud parents, Malcolm Anthony and Mary Emily (Monice) Silva. (The mystery unveiled ~ ‘M’ = Merle ☺ ) Allen and his older sister, Sharron Silva-Taylor spent their early years on the beautiful 35 acre family farm on the banks of the Sacramento River. When he was 7, the family moved into the Sacramento suburbs, right next door to the old Sacramento Airport flight path. Allen’s love for aviation grew daily, fueled by the DC7s rumbling over the roof, flooding their family room with blinding landing lights. (In his 20’s, Allen went on to get his private pilot’s license, and enjoyed hang- gliding, zip-lining and flying sail planes) Allen attended parochial school for his early education, and then graduated from McClatchy High School. As the foot-ball team’s mascot, he donned a fury lion costume with a huge lion’s head over his own, and entertained the fans in the bleachers. In 1962, Allen met Carol Jean Oliver ~ his wife-to-be ~ on a blind date. They married April 25, 1963, when they were just 17 and 18 years old, they would celebrate their 60 th anniversary in 2023. The newly-weds made Sacramento their home, where they raised their 3 children: Monte Allan, Monica Lynn and Mark Andrew. In 1975, the Silva family moved to Santa Rosa CA. In 1977, their lives were drastically changed, as each one of the Silvas surrendered their hearts to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They became active in their church, and their children attended a private Christian school. Allen experienced a variety of sales positions: selling dairy products at a creamery and restaurant equipment from age 15 to 19, fine furniture from 20 to 35, then office equipment and Frito-Lay products. Later, Allen and Carol started a business creating country décor, which sold at local home parties, in a national magazine and at gift stores throughout the nation. After their children were grown, Allen and Carol became traveling administrators for Holiday Senior Retirement Corporation in four western states, eventually landing in Olympia, WA at Capitol Place Retirement on Black Lake Blvd. In 1992, the Silvas bought and refurbished the beautiful brick home at the crest of Northcliff Road in Shelton, and for 13 years operated Northcliff Place Adult Family Home. During that time they collaborated with the WA State Senate Health Care Committee, who made a movie about life in Northcliff Place AFH. They were founding members of the WA State Residential Care Council, an organization created to support AFH Providers throughout WA State. In 2006, they sold Northcliff Place and retired, moving into a home on Mountain View in Shelton. There Allen lovingly turned their property into a lavish garden paradise, once highlighted in the Mason County Master Garden Tour. Along with his avid love of gardening, Allen was keenly passionate about boats, planes, trains, and automobiles, and could often be found tinkering on projects in any of those categories. His enthusiasm and eye for detail saw the possibilities not only in his personal favorites interests, but he delighted in discovering the hobbies and passion of others. He was unabashedly proud of his family and beamed when he expressed to those around him the milestones great and small taking place in their lives.​ He loved the adventure of travel, and most especially had big dreams of the next reunion with his children, grand and great-grandchildren. The Silvas attended Calvary Chapel and Shelton First Baptist Churches in Shelton, finally finding their home at Calvary Fellowship in 2019. In September of 2023, Allen went on palliative care, and then Hospice care due to advanced kidney and heart failure. He very peacefully passed away in his home on February 19, 2024, and is now experiencing real life with Jesus in his Heavenly home. Allen is survived by his wife, Carol; their children Monte Silva (and wife Anita Silva), Monica (Silva) Wood (and husband Stephen Wood), and Mark Silva; grandchildren Christina Silva, Christopher Silva, Simona Wood, and Isaiah Silva; and great grand-children Carter and Helena Silva, and Azazel, Marcellus, and Elijah Rincon. He is preceded into eternity by his dear parents, Malcolm and Mary Silva, and his beloved grandsons, Franklin and Jonathan Wood. Memories, comments and pictures may be contributed to Allen’s “Book” at McComb Wagner Funeral Home at mccombwagner.com/tribute/details/5362/M-Silva/condolences.html#content-start A celebration of Allen’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, 2:30 pm, at Calvary Fellowship on Shelton Springs Road in Shelton, WA. A reception will follow.