Daphne Lenore Silha, a longtime Moscow resident, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, in Danville, Ky. She was 92. Daphne was born Sept. 27, 1918, at Fort Benton, Mont., starting out life on a small farm with two sisters and a brother.
She graduated from Montana State University in 1939 with a bachelor of science degree in business.
In 1941, she married her lifetime sweetheart, Henry W. Silha, in Fort Benton. They moved to Moscow shortly thereafter when he accepted a teaching position with the University of Idaho. She lived in Moscow until two years before her death, when she moved to Kentucky to be near her eldest daughter.
Daphne's life centered around her family and was bound by the thread of sewing. Staying at home to raise her children, she had her own small cottage-house business, doing alterations and sewing for others, even making dresses for opera singers. She sewed for many, whether making vests for the Good Sam RV group, altering robes for the Methodist Church Choir or projects for the Old Time Fiddlers. She made most of her clothes, and in later years took up machine embroidery and quilting. She wore examples of both with pride.
Daphne loved camping, traveling and the ocean, and enjoyed gardening. She and Henry would camp most weekends during the summer, and they were often joined by numerous family and friends.
After Henry's death in January 1998, she still camped and traveled with her children, visiting them in Texas, Kentucky, Washington, Alaska and Canada.
She was a longtime member of the Moscow First United Methodist Church, the Good Sam RV group, the Old Time Fiddlers and the Faculty Wives Group at UI. She took up square dancing when she was 79 years old and enjoyed it until moving to Kentucky.
She is survived by her three children, Carlan Silha and his wife Lin of Spokane, Marlene Martin and her husband Bob of Danville, and Elaine Garrett and her husband Robbie of Kake, Alaska; two grandchildren, Dale Silha of Spokane and Sonia Swenson of Austin, Texas; a sister, Agnes Taylor of Houston; and five great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all.
The family will greet friends during a viewing from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. A funeral service will be conducted at noon Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow. The Rev. Sue Ostrom will officiate and burial will follow at the Moscow Cemetery. A reception will be conducted in the church fellowship hall for family and friends.
The family suggests memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow and online condolences may be sent at www.shortsfuneral
chapel.net.
