Christopher C. Silva

Christopher C. (Hay) Silva of Atlantis, Florida, died September 30, 2023, at

the age of 89 after living a passionate life of newspaper and radio

journalism, marriage and family, worldwide travel, education advocacy, and

loyal friendship. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert M. Silva,

her three children Lynne Silva-Breen (William) of Prior Lake, Minnesota;

Mark Silva (Elaine) of Sharon, Massachusetts, and Eric Silva of Mansfield,

Massachusetts, as well as her seven grandchildren Michael and Hannah

Silva-Breen; Ben (Amanda), Jennifer, and Rebecca Silva; and Stephanie

and Connor Silva, as well as her three nieces Diane Messchaert, Allison

Gray, and Jamie Hagopian and their families, all of California. She was a

whirlwind of energy and determination. She rarely stopped moving.

Born in and raised in Canada, she became a naturalized United

States citizen as a young adult. She was educated at Northeastern

University, Boston, where she met the young Bob Silva while in the student

newspaper office. Married in 1956, the couple traveled to Germany where

Bob was stationed with the US Army, and Lynne was born. Returning to the

United States, the couple settled in New York and later Connecticut, where

Mark and Eric were born, and the children grew up.

Chris and Bob would move around New England several times,

following Bob’s banking career, and Chris would always carve out her own

career after each move, easily transitioning from town paper Editor of the

Fairfield Towne Crier to radio and cable show host for educational issues,

to regional reporter for the Boston Globe and Ski Writers Magazine, and

occasional ski and classroom substitute teacher. Later in life, Chris again

learned the skills and business of the Travel industry and spent decades of

life helping friends and neighbors book travel experiences all around the

world. One of her last trips was another cruise to the warm waters off the

southern coast of Florida and the Caribbean this past spring with Bob and

Mark’s family.

Later in life, she enjoyed all the many relationships she made in and

around the Atlantis area, including her golf club friends, wonderful

neighbors, her PEO sisters, and fellow members of Church of Bethesda-by-

the-Sea (Episcopal), and loved the regular visits by her children’s families

to Florida. Always curious and learning, even after she lost most of her

sight, she would sit at her visually adjusted computer screen reading

national news and working on travel agendas for all those whom she had

helped in the past. Nothing made her happier than to be working and

planning the next time she could get out and experience the world with her

husband and other loved ones.

She would want us to give thanks to God for our lives, to always

learn, grow and expand our horizons, and to embrace those we love. In lieu

of flowers, please consider a gift to your favorite charity in her name. May

she be at peace in the everlasting light of God.