Lorraine “Lorrie" Eleanor Anthony Silva

Born in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, on August 17, 1930, Lorrie grew up surrounded by the beauty and resilience of island life. As a young girl living in Honolulu during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she witnessed firsthand one of history’s defining moments. In the years that followed, she was involved with selling War Bonds and assisting in the various “Victory Gardens”. She often shared her vivid memories of the challenges the locals faced - stories that would later inspire many of her grandchildren’s school projects and essays.

Lorrie was a self-proclaimed “Island Girl” all her life. She was a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Class of 1949. One of the last students of her graduating class, Lorrie carried with her a deep sense of pride, community, and compassion that guided her throughout her life.

On January 17, 1953, Lorrie married the love of her life, Allen Manuel Silva, a Navy man, in Honolulu. Together they built a beautiful life in Imperial Beach that was filled with love, laughter, faith and family. Married for 41 years before his passing, they raised five children — Allen, MaryAnn, Pam, Robert, and Ron — whose lives were shaped by their parents’ devotion, faith, hard work, and unwavering care.

After moving to San Diego, Lorrie dedicated almost 50 years to the Sweetwater School District, beginning as a substitute cafeteria worker and rising to become a Cafeteria Manager for many years. Known for her warm heart and generosity, she made it her mission that no student ever went hungry - making sure every child received a meal, whether they could pay or not. Generations of students and faculty fondly remembered her, often stopping her years later to share how much her kindness had meant to them.

Her commitment to helping others extended far beyond the workplace. Lorrie volunteered tirelessly at Sharp Hospital, contributing over 19,000 hours of service and was recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2017. She also donated more than 25 gallons of blood over the years. While volunteering at Sharp Hospital, she founded a crochet club that brought together women once a month to create blankets and accessories, which were donated to patients or raffled to raise funds for sick children.

Family was extremely important to Lorrie. No family gathering was complete unless she was surrounded by her grandkids. The more the merrier. There could be dozens of grandkids at an event, and she would always remember the ones that weren’t there. She would always remember her grandkids on holidays and their birthdays, and a smile would appear at the mention of any of them.

Faith was an essential part of Lorrie’s life. All her children went to Catholic school. With that, she devoted much of her time to St. Charles School and Church, involved in the annual St. Charles Bazaar, the Girl Scouts and was also a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was actively involved with Marian Catholic High School where all five of her children graduated. Later in life she was a staple on Sundays at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Lorrie served her parish communities with love and humility. She also volunteered for many hours with the Salvation Army in Chula Vista, preparing and serving meals to those in need up until the time of her passing.

Lorrie is survived by her sister, Yvonne; her loving children — Allen and wife Casey, MaryAnn and husband Stephen, and Ron and wife Linda — as well as 47 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and including 2 great-great grandchildren who will carry forward her legacy of compassion, humor, and strength. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allen, and by her children, Pam and Bob.

Her family and friends will remember her for her stories, her love of plants and flowers, often taking and giving her generosity of her green thumb, and her unwavering belief in caring for others. Lorrie’s life was a shining example of faith, selfless service, and joyful love — a true celebration of a well-lived life.

A service will be held to honor her memory at Glen Abby Mortuary on November 14th. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to the Salvation Army in Chula Vista. “She believed in helping others and supporting those in need. It was her wish that her passing continues to bring hope to others.”

Online Donation: https://chulavista.salvationarmy.org/

By Mail: The Salvation Army-Chula Vista Corps 648 Third Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910

Please note: “In memory of Lorraine Silva” on your donation.

But more importantly, the family invites all the people Lorrie knew and loved, to perform an act of kindness in Lorrie’s name, reflecting the way she lived each day — with love, laughter, and a giving heart.