Kathleen Lois Silva

Kathleen was a resident of Redding, California.

Kathleen Lois “Katy” Moser-Silva

December 25, 1925 – February 6, 2026

With deep love and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beautiful and beloved family matriarch, Kathleen Lois “Katy” Moser-Silva, who passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100.

Katy was born Kathleen Lois Sloan on December 25, 1925, in Gonzales, California. She was raised by her father, Nicolas Sloan, and his wife Ruth. Her childhood was marked by hardship, and from a very young age she learned resilience, independence, and the value of hard work—qualities that would define her throughout her life.

When she was just six years old, Katy was sent alone across the country by train from Long Beach, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, with no escort or supervision, to live with her aunt, who ran a boarding house. Even as a small child she began working, running errands for sailors by collecting money and racing to purchase their cigarettes and food orders. Katy quickly realized that the faster she returned with their items, the more orders she could take—and the more nickels and dimes she could earn, which she carefully saved in a jar beneath her bed.

While living in Boston, Katy often spent time around the Bunker Hill Monument, where young boys delivered speeches and tours to visitors. Curious and determined, she listened carefully until she had memorized the speech herself. Soon she began giving the tour as well, becoming the first girl ever to deliver the speech and tour at the monument, once again finding a creative way to earn money.

Independent and adventurous by nature, Katy later made the journey back across the country to California in a Model T Ford that had to be hand-cranked to start, a trip that took 13 days—one of many stories that reflected the fearless spirit and determination that defined her life.

It was there in Southern California that Katy met the love of her life, Bill Moser, to whom she was married for 37 wonderful and adventurous years. Together they built a life filled with travel, golf, laughter, and lively gatherings with friends. Their greatest joy, however, was their daughter, Cindy, who was truly the pride and joy of their lives and the center of their world.

Katy was, by every account, one of the hardest workers you could ever meet. Eventually, in 1956, she took a leap of faith and opened her first restaurant with little more than determination, one cook, and $500. Working tirelessly from open to close, she built that small restaurant—El Chiquito, located directly across from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California—into a thriving establishment that became a favorite gathering place for members of the Hollywood community. Among her regular customers were Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, and John Wayne, to name just a few, who were drawn not only to the food but to Katy’s warmth, charm, and natural gift for hospitality. At a time when very few women owned and operated businesses, Katy’s success was a testament to her determination, confidence, and extraordinary work ethic.

In 1970, Katy and Bill moved to Redding, California, seeking a quieter place to raise their daughter and build a life together. There they built a beautiful home designed for entertaining, where Katy delighted in decorating and creating warm, welcoming spaces while Bill took charge in the kitchen, showing off his skills as an excellent chef. Together they hosted many memorable parties, weddings, and celebrations that friends and family still talk about to this day.

In 1978, Katy once again followed her entrepreneurial spirit and opened Tortilla Flats in the historic Pine Street School. Through dedication, tireless work, and genuine hospitality, the restaurant quickly became a beloved gathering place in the Redding community. Tortilla Flats later moved to its current location on Park Marina Drive, where it continued to grow into a true local institution. Katy remained deeply connected to the restaurant and continued working there well into her early 90s, welcoming generations of guests as though they were family.

Beyond her remarkable work ethic, Katy was known for her generous heart and willingness to help others. She never hesitated to support friends, family members, and employees during difficult times. At her recent 100th birthday celebration, many people shared stories about Katy’s kindness and the many ways she had helped them throughout the years.

Katy carried herself with timeless elegance and style. She was never anything less than perfectly put together—always matching, with beautiful hair, thoughtful jewelry, and impeccable makeup. But beyond her beauty, Katy was known for her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She was endlessly funny, sharp, and clever, and her mind remained sharp as a tack until her final breath. Even in her later years she remained the most captivating woman in the room.

She loved golfing with friends and was a longtime member of Riverview Country Club. She enjoyed traveling, entertaining, decorating her home, and setting beautiful tables for holidays and gatherings. Katy was also a talented artist who loved to paint, creating many treasured oil paintings on canvas over the years. Katy also had a lifelong love of sewing and for many years personally sewed the uniforms worn by the waitresses at Tortilla Flats.

After Bill’s passing in 1987, Katy later found companionship and friendship again when she married Tony Silva, a close friend who became a loving partner in the later years of her life. Tony also preceded her in death.

In recent years she discovered a new pastime she greatly enjoyed—poker—spending many lively hours each week playing with friends at Hilltop Springs. Katy treasured her final years there, where she formed many wonderful friendships and enjoyed the warmth and companionship of those around her. She was deeply grateful for the community she found there and often spoke about how much joy her friends brought to her life. True to her lifelong spirit of independence, Katy continued living in her own independent living apartment at Hilltop Springs even at 100 years old.

Katy lived an extraordinary life that spanned an entire century. Without question, she was the strongest person we have ever known, and that strength defined her life through every era she lived. Over the course of her 100 years she witnessed incredible changes in the world—from Prohibition and the Great Depression to world wars, the space race, the civil rights movement, and the rise of commercial air travel. She always said she hoped to live to see her 100th birthday, and when that milestone arrived it was celebrated in the grand way she deserved, surrounded by the people she loved most.

Katy had numerous siblings throughout her life, some of whom she never had the opportunity to meet. From her father’s second marriage to Ruth, she gained a sister, Paula Morris, whom she loved dearly. The two shared a lifelong bond that meant the world to Katy.

Katy was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill Moser; her sister Paula Morris; her husband Tony Silva; her stepchildren Frank Help and Maryann Moser; and her parents.

While Katy had many accomplishments throughout her remarkable life, above all else she was most proud of her family.

She is survived by her daughter Cindy Lamkin and her spouse, Doug Adkins; her grandchildren Lisa Shifflet (Petitjean) and husband Nolan, Katie Wiebelhaus (Lamkin) and husband Zane, and Austin Lamkin and fiancée Madison; and her four great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy and laughter: Luke and Jake Shifflet, Teagan Wiebelhaus, and Josie Lamkin. She is also survived by her nephews Daryl Morris, Robbie Morris, and Steve Morris, the sons of her sister Paula, and her nephew Ross Rytting, along with many extended family members, dear friends, and generations of employees and community members whose lives were touched by her kindness and generosity. Her family was the greatest joy of her life, just as she was ours, and we will forever cherish the many hours spent listening to her riveting stories about history and the extraordinary life she lived.

And while our hearts ache deeply, we find so much peace knowing she ran into the arms of the love of her life, Bill, whom she had missed for nearly 40 years. What a reunion that must have been.

She was the most beautiful woman in the world—not just in appearance, but in strength, grace, wit, and heart. And somehow, she carried that beauty for 100 entire years. And now it is heartbreaking to come to terms with the fact that the world is going to feel a little less beautiful without her in it.

We would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Mercy Medical Center in Redding for their care and compassion during Katy’s final days.

Words cannot begin to sum up such a beautiful and full life lived by someone so extraordinary. Nor can they truly capture how deeply she was loved and how profoundly she will be missed.

A graveside service celebrating Katy’s life will be held on March 28 at 2:00 PM at McDonald’s Chapel in Redding, California, and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Following the service, family and friends are warmly invited to gather for a celebration of her life at Tortilla Flats.