
Virginia Silliman
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Virginia Gale Silliman, age 97, died August 27, 2024, in Wilmington, NC.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie Schafer, her husband Victor David Silliman, and her son David Victor Silliman.
She is survived by her sons, Kenneth Glenn Silliman and James Allen Silliman.
Virginia was born May 2, 1927, in Youngstown, OH and graduated from South High School in Youngstown. She met her husband Dave at Ohio University, where she graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Secretarial Science. She was married in 1949. She and Dave raised their three sons in Ohio and Baldwinsville, NY. When her sons reached their teens in Baldwinsville, she volunteered at Operation Head Start. She re-entered the work force in 1969 and served in various secretarial roles until her retirement in the 1990's. Her family faced a challenge when their middle son, David, an All-Star basketball player at Geneseo State, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in September of 1975. From that date until David's death by suicide in January 1978, Virginia demonstrated remarkable leadership in managing David's care while continuing to work and hold the family together. In February 1979, Dave and Virginia relocated to Wilmington, NC. Dave passed away in 1984, and soon thereafter Virginia joined St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church where she joined Stephen Ministries and remained active in church activities to this date. For six years in the 1980's and 1990's she participated in Arlene and Donna's Dance Group. In June 1987, she was named J.W. Murchison Company's Employee of the year for 1986. Her son Jim moved to Wilmington in 1981 and has lived within five miles of Virginia ever since. Though son Ken resided in Cleveland, he accompanied Virginia on numerous trips, including England and Scotland in 1991, and twenty consecutive Spring Training trips from 1999 - 2018. In January 2020, Virginia sold her townhouse to her son Ken and moved to Brightmore of Wilmington where she met many dear friends during her four years there.
Virginia's surviving sons will host a Celebration of Life event from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Great Lakes Brewing Tasting Room, 2701 Carroll Ave., Cleveland, OH.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests that contributions be sent in Virginia's memory to St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com