Alice Burton Silver passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023. Alice and her twin sister Anne were born on June 19, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Hartzell (Ding) Burton and Florence Swenson Burton.
Alice graduated from The Sunset Hill School; Bradford Junior College, Haverhill, Massachusetts; and the University of Kansas with a B.A. in History and French. While at KU, Alice pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she made cherished friendships. Alice later served as Midwest Regional Governor for Kappa Kappa Gamma. Alice and her sister Ann were avid tennis players and played in NCAA national championship for women’s doubles while at KU.
On May 9th, 1959, Alice married Lloyd Thomas Silver Jr. and they raised their daughter Christina in Mission Hills, Kansas. Alice’s entertaining was legendary, and to many she was simply the best cook ever. She was a proud Swede who hosted many family gatherings that featured a Swedish smorgasbord. Alice was a gracious host, had a great sense of humor, and could tell amazing stories.
Throughout her life, Alice was involved in many philanthropic activities and was dedicated to helping others. She was a BOTAR Class of 1956; Co-founder and past President of Kansas City Junior Women's philharmonic; one of two women board members at The Red Cross of Kansas City; longtime volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital and served as President of the St. Luke’s Auxiliary; served on the board of directors of Safehome Women’s Shelter; and a Vice-President of The Junior League of Kansas City.
One of Alice’s greatest passions was politics. She ran campaign offices for Congresswoman Jan Meyers, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Senator Pat Roberts, Attorney General Bob Stephan, Attorney General Paul Morrison, Governor Mike Hayden, Governor Bill Graves, Senator Robert Dole, and she ran the Johnson County campaign office for Robert Dole for President. Alice was a delegate from the state of Kansas at the 1992 Republican National Convention.
Dedicated to her faith, Alice was on the St. Paul’s Altar Guild for 25 years, serving as its president for 10 of those years. She also served on the First Lutheran Church Altar Guild.
She was an avid gardener, taking great pride in not only her garden at home, but serving on the Mission Hills Beautification Committee for many years.
Alice was dedicated to her family and enjoyed many trips with Lloyd and Christina. She especially loved the beach where she would walk for hours and collect seashells. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved spending time with them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister Anne Grether and brother-in-law Ralph Grether, and her sister Lucille Reno.
Alice is survived by her husband of 64 years, Lloyd, daughter Christina Shore (Scott) and grandchildren Caitlyn, Holland and Thomas Shore, as well as nieces Laura Martin and Katharine Ritter and their families, sister-in-law Ruth Silver and brother-in-law Bill Reno.
A memorial service for Alice will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Road, Mission Hills, Kansas 66208.
Donations in Alice’s memory can be made to The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation for scholarships at www.kappakappagamma.org/donate or to Wayside Waifs at 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137.
