Obituary - Maybelle Silva

Sunday, March 04, 2007
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Long time Petersburg resident, Maybelle Mary (Jackson) Silva died on Jan. 19, 2007. She was 52.

She was born Jan. 31, 1954, in Wrangell, to Ralph M. and Mary M. (Wigg) Jackson. After moving to Petersburg, she met and fell in love with her husband Lewie D. Silva. They got married on June 1, 1973.

"Maybelle was beautiful, brave, full of life, so happy and a champion," said her daughter, Marylene. "She was the greatest wife, mother, champion and best friend ever known to her husband, Lewie, of 34 years, and her four children, Marylene, Luis Jr., Maria and Michaela."

Her favorite things in life, in addition to her family, were listening to music, dancing, singing, shopping for jewelry, making jewelry, sewing, cooking and going outdoors with family to hunt, fish, camp and go on picnics.

"She loved to learn new things and teach her children all that she knew," said Marylene. "She loved life, loved people and loved to make people laugh. Her ultimate calling in life was her family. Her compassion touched many lives and she'll be sorely missed dearly by many."

Her unexpected and untimely death has shocked her family.

"We lost a dear wife, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, niece and best friend," said Marylene. "Maybelle, although she left us so quickly, had faith that we'd be OK and believed with her whole heart in the Lord and that most would find comfort in knowing she was with the Lord looking down at us. Her heart's cry was that all of her family know the lord, live a long healthy life and to remain close to each other."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mary Jackson; brother, Michael Jackson; sister, Sarah Jackson; uncles Sonny Wigg and JR. Wigg; mother and father-in-law, Maria and John Silva Sr.; and sister-in-law, Teodula Silva.

She is survived by her husband, Lewie Silva Sr.; children, Luis Jr., Maria, Michaela of Petersburg, and Marylene of Juneau; sister, Flora Tagaban and her husband, Cliff Sr. of Juneau; brothers, Frank Jackson and his wife, Louise, of Petersburg, Donald Jackson and Ralph Jackson, of Juneau; brother-in-laws, Tony Silva of Seattle, Wash., John Silva Sr. and his wife, Harriet, of Angoon; aunt, Bertha Larson of Wrangell; numerous nieces and nephews from the Silva, Tagaban and Jackson families; and numerous cousins, from the Larson and Wigg families, grandma Virginia Mata and her family, of Ketchikan, Kathy Honey and her family, of Juneau, and the Wery family, of Juneau.

A service was held on Jan. 26 at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Petersburg. She was laid to rest at Petersburg Memorial Cemetery.

The officiating Pastor was Lee Corrao.

Pallbearers were Frank Jackson Sr., Donald Jackson, Clifford Tagaban Sr., Louis Tagaban, Jason Bourgoin, Marvin Jackson, Frank Jackson Jr., and Kyle Skeek.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Silva family, P.O. Box 58, Petersburg, AK, 99833.