Mary Antonene "Toni" Silliman

Mary Antonene “Toni” Silliman, 86, of Ives Hill Retirement Community, Watertown, passed away on September 15, 2024, at the Samaritan Medical Center after a short illness.

Mrs. Silliman was born May 25, 1938, in Jacksonville, FL, daughter of Holt and Frances (Williams) Roberts. She graduated from Irondequoit High School in Rochester and attended SUNY Potsdam and Florida State University.

On September 25, 1958, she married Loron E. Silliman, Jr. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL, enjoying a loving marriage for over 61 years until his passing in 2020.  In 1976, she began substituting and eventually became the assistant Librarian at Knickerbocker School. Sharing books and reading stories to the children brought her joy and happiness right up to her retirement in 2000.

Mrs. Silliman was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Watertown and a member of the Presbyterian Women’s Organization. She and her husband volunteered as ushers for the NNY Symphony for several years. Mrs. Silliman was a volunteer for the music department of Watertown High School, chaperoning trips and providing help wherever needed for musical productions and NYSSMA competitions. While her children were growing up she was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout volunteer, belonged to the Welcome Wagon, the Home Demonstration Club, Beta Sigma Phi and volunteered for the March of Dimes.  In recent years she took great pride in becoming a member of the International Chapter P.E.O. Sisterhood. 

Mrs. Silliman cultivated her flower gardens and enjoyed her Victorian house on Park Ave for 57 years.  Symphony orchestra concerts, musicals, museums, beloved pets, domestic and international travel were just a few activities and interests that filled her life with pleasure and joy. Most of all she enjoyed gathering with family and friends, sharing stories and simply being in the company of others. Her kind and cheerful presence will be greatly missed by many.

Surviving are two sons, Alan (Sally) Silliman, Fruita, CO, James (Zania) Silliman, Pittsford, NY and a daughter, Lori (Brett) Larson, Scotia, NY, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 5-7pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be Saturday October 12 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at the convenance of the family.

In lieu of flowers please donate in her name to an organization of choice. She would be pleased to know her passing positively impacted others.

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