Louise Ellen Silvern

Dr. Louise Silvern died peacefully on Dec. 15 at the age of 76. Louise was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, therapist, teacher, and mentor. She is survived by her husband, Steve Silvern; her daughter, Joy Silvern; her granddaughter, Jillian Tiffith; her sister, Edie Swift and her family. The love and esteem she generated were reflected in her many in-person and virtual visitors during her final days.

In her decades-long role as a psychology professor at CU, Boulder, Louise left a profound imprint on her students, training future generations of psychotherapists to practice ethically, humanely, self-reflectively, and respectfully. Her methodologically rigorous research was contextualized in her brilliant and innovative theoretical approaches. These, in turn, were guided by her North Star, the quest to relieve suffering. She was a passionate advocate on behalf of all those in pain. Using her frequently cited ground-breaking research in the service of social justice, she was a tireless and passionate advocate for battered women and maltreated children.

Louise lived well, and she died well. Her warmth, generosity of spirit, courage, and brilliance will be missed by all who knew her but will live on in everyone she touched.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11AM on Sunday, Dec. 18.

• In person at Congregation Har Hashem, 3950 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80303

• Virtual: https://youtube.com/@harhashemvideo9111

Contributions in her memory can be made to The Pain Education Project, c/o Dr. Elyse Morgan, 2975 Valmont Rd., Suite 220, Boulder, CO 80301.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Silvern family.