January 23, 1945 – September 6, 2023
Dana “Lynn” Silver (née Sibbald) was born in Trochu, AB on January 23, 1945, to Letty and Ken Sibbald of Huxley, Alberta. This was felt to be of some importance as her birthday was 01.23.45. She passed away September 6, 2023, with her husband Neil at her side, at Kelowna Hospice House, diagnosed with ovarian cancer just on Aug 28, 2023. It was so fast and so tragic. Lynn grew up and spent all of her formative years in the small town of Huxley, AB. They say it takes a village to raise a child - Huxley was indeed that village. Kids didn’t have just two parents, but everyone in the town looked out for them (bad and good). Music played a large role in her life. She was first taught by Millie Taylor, then Hattie Stasel, followed by Sister Mary Frances at the convent in Trochu. She completed her grade ten and respective theories with first class honours in the Royal Conservatory. Lynn goes to join those who went before her, including her parents Ken and Letty and her son Michael. Left to treasure her memory is her husband of 12 years, Neil Silver; children Christopher (Krista) Spensley, Velva Dawn Silver, and Glen Silver; grandchildren Noah and Samantha Spensley, Kayla, Josie and Erin Hughes, and Eric and Jessica Silver; great-granddaughter Avanjoleene; siblings Jerry (Helen) Sibbald, Danny (Grace) Sibbald, and Pam (Kerry) McClelland; as well as sister-in-law, Germaine Ellis. Lynn moved from Huxley to Calgary, AB and married Ron Spensley in 1965 and had two sons: Christopher William and Michael James. Following a divorce, she moved to Victoria, BC in 1977 with five cats, two dogs, and two children. She then married Murray Hughes later that year, and they lived in James Bay, Victoria, BC until 1985, when they purchased a home in Deep Cove outside of Sidney, BC. Tragically, in 1990, her youngest son Michael was “lost at sea” in a commercial fishing boat accident, he was never recovered. They left the island in 1993 to return to Alberta. Lynn was a self-employed accountant, and she worked with a variety of clients. To satisfy her creative instincts, she was also a floral designer for several years. In 2011, she became reacquainted with “the love of her life” Neil Silver, at a high school reunion. This man was the first boy she ever kissed, and they had never forgotten each other. The weeks after their initial meeting, they made the choice to be together again and haven’t parted since. Neil was a semi-retired farmer from Huxley, AB. They lived on the farm for three years, during which they had a small cattle herd. They married on July 29, 2015, in a wonderful ceremony in the Banff Springs Hotel with their closest friends and family in attendance, and Neil in a kilt (which many found memorable). To top it off, Lynn even made her own wedding dress (she was an accomplished seamstress). They then moved to Kelowna, BC in 2016. Together, Lynn and Neil spent many years travelling to Arizona, USA for the winters, where Lynn discovered another new passion - stained-glass. Which, she generously shared through teaching. Her designs were truly one-of-a-kind; her unique stained-glass have become a cherished possession for the many who now own a creation. Lynn possessed a remarkable gift for art and music, excelling in stained-glass work, flower arranging, and piano playing. Some of her simple joys in life consisted of driving her Porsche, admiring a nice pair of high heels, and anything with BLING!! She was fond of many Italian sayings. One of her favourites being, “Years, lovers, and glasses of wine; these things must not be counted”. Dances, playing cards, friends, dinner parties and entertaining were all special to Lynn. Lynn had just begun volunteering for the Kelowna Outreach Program, where she quickly made several new friends. And so, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Outreach Program Canada, www.outreachprogram.ca/donate. There will be a private Celebration of Life ceremony held at a later date for Lynn. Condolences, photos, and memories may be sent to the family by visiting her obituary page at www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
