In her salad days, Silvia hiked and climbed mountains all over the Western United States along with 20th century legendary mountaineers. For ten years she followed Wendy over hill and dale, meandering the trails of Marin County.
Silvia worked for many years as a psychiatric nurse --- a job that would have driven most of us to sheer madness. That vocation fostered, rather than squelched, her enormous sense of humor. She composed many odes, poems, songs and skits, and performed them to entertain us during our hikes.
When many people reach retirement age they are content to sit on the porch in a rocking chair or turn into couch potatoes in front of a mind-numbing television set. Silvia did neither. She was a volunteer for the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, a docent at Angel Island State Park, and raised service dogs for Canine Companions.
Silvia no longer joins us on our weekly treks. She disappeared in January of 2010 while walking her service dog, Hettie, on North Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore. Now she keeps a company of angels amused and bemused, still writing poems and songs, still singing her heart out.
Silvia is gone, but not forgotten. Click here to view an on-line photo album showing Silvia meandering in Marin. YouTube videos include her tribute to Blog Editor Dick Jordan and leading the group in its annual "Twelve Days of Meandering" Christmas holiday song.
Wendy and Bill Dreskin have created The Life of Silvia Lange blog in her memory and a book of photographs and remembrances on Shutterfly.
A Celebration of Silvia's life was held on Angel Island on March 21, 2010. Click here for an album of photos taken at that event which will be repeated annually around that same date.
More Marin.com ran a story about the Celebration of Life and posted additional photos on its Website. Amy Wilbur has produced a DVD of the event; contact Bill or Wendy Dreskin if you would like a copy.
