Odilia (Lilly) Silva

Odilia (Lilly) Silva will be celebrating her 97th birthday in Heaven. She passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2015, one week shy of her birthday. She was born on August 13, 1918 in Belen, New Mexico to Rosalio and Maria Sanchez, Lilly married Lincoln Silva on January 3, 1942. The couple resided in Belen until 1970 when they moved to Albuquerque. Lilly was a homemaker for the first eleven years of her marriage. In 1953, she became employed at Sandia Corporation. She retired in 1984 after 31 years of service. In addition to being a great cook and baker, Lilly was a seamstress, crocheted, took up oil painting, made jewelry and loved to read. She and Lincoln loved to dance. She was on a bowling league well into her 80's. After her retirement, Lilly volunteered at Lovelace Hospital and at Holy Ghost Church. She crocheted baby blankets, made teddy bears and rosaries. Lilly loved little children; first and foremost, her grandsons, but also, the children of her friends, and the children in her neighborhood, including over the years, Jonathan DeHerrera, Caroline and Edward Sanchez, Michael, Jill and Janet Casaus, Troy and Autumn Mays, and Sebastian Vigil. She made sure they had valentines, Easter Eggs, Halloween candy and Christmas gifts. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Lilly was a strong-willed and independent woman. She lived alone in her home until shortly before her death. Lilly was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 66 years, Lincoln, and her grandson, Dr. John Michael Baca. She outlived seven siblings: brother, Placido Sanchez, and sisters, Casimira Lopez, Mary Gabaldon, Isabel Griego, Ann Wolfe, Delfina Sanchez, and Esther Sanchez. She is survived by her children, Mike Silva and wife Dolores of Belen,NM; daughters, Barbara Silva of Albuquerque, Stella Silva Baca, of Albuquerque, and Eileen Cox and husband Ron of Riverside, CA. Lilly was especially proud of her grandsons who survive her: Paul Baca and wife Holly, of Arnold, MD, Chris Cox and wife Susan, of La Quinta, CA and Greg Cox and wife Kelly, of Laguna Niguel, CA; eight great-grandchildren: Rachel, Julia and Dana Baca, Sam, Michael and Alexandra Baca, Caitlin and Ashley Cox; six step-grandchildren, Julie Wood, Brian Perea and Rachel Perea, John, Kelly and Lori Greene; her sister -in-law, Ida Sanchez, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Lilly will also be mourned by Lara Barkoff, widow of her grandson Michael, and her very dear friends, Domie and Andy Laughlin, and Cecile and Paul Chang. Cremation has taken place. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at FRENCH-University. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 14, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, 833 Arizona SE. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Odilia at . FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd. NE 505-843-6333