It is with profound sadness and an appreciation for a life well-loved that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Germaine Silver, May 4th 2019, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.
Born in Antigonish on Oct. 7, 1941, Germaine was the daughter of the late Alexander "Stuffy" and Muriel (Brocklehurst) MacDonald.
Germaine and her husband, Eugene, owned and operated Silver’s Dry Cleaning & Laundry in Antigonish for 40 years. They raised their family in town where their doors were always open to friends, family, and strangers alike. Their summers were spent gardening, boating, fishing, swimming, and entertaining at their cottage in Lakevale, where they later built their forever home. Upon retiring, Germaine gave back to the community in various roles. She was a volunteer in the management of the Cribbon's Point Harbour Authority since its inception. She was elected to St. Ninian’s Parish Council where she served as secretary, she served on the RK Mac Donald Nursing Home Board, and was a life member on the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Auxiliary. Her most recent appointment was to represent the Auxiliary on the Board of Directors for the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation. In this role, she helped towards efforts in growing the foundation’s endowment to fully fund the building of the new palliative care wing at St. Martha’s. It was less than a year after opening this palliative care unit that Germaine found herself there as a patient.
Germaine loved her pals, "the ladies", in her quilting group and her bridge club. This wonderful group of amazing women kept her happy and vibrant and were of great support to her and her family these past few weeks.
Germaine’s pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. Nothing gave her more pleasure than enjoying Bay Loch in the summer with her family and their friends. She loved to travel, but summers were off limits!!
Germaine is survived by her four children; Tim Silver, DDS (Danielle Fraser), Lakevale; Mike Silver, MD, Radiology (Heather Murray), Antigonish; Gena Silver, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology) (Eric Falk), Massachusetts; and the Honourable Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon; her grandchildren, Sydney (22), Ben (20), Sam (18), Anna Bae (14), Alexandra (13), Sammy (10); brothers, Roderick (Ann Marie) MacDonald, Martin (Penny) MacDonald, Owen (Greta) MacDonald; and sisters, Mona (Mike) Cillis, Flora Anne, and Hilda.
Predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Eugene (1936-2013); brother, Howard MacDonald; and niece, Jennifer MacDonald.
The family would like to thank the nursing staff at St. Martha’s Hospital for their compassion and professionalism. Thanks also to Dr. Ron MacCormick, Dr. Amy Hendricks, Dr. Dave Cudmore and everyone at St. Martha’s.
Visitation will be held Tuesday May 7, in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 11:00am in St. Ninian Cathedral, Antigonish. Burial in the parish cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Martha’s Hospital Foundation or a donation of blood to your local blood drive. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com