Obituary of Rose Silak

Rose Marie Janor Silak of Boise died of natural causes on Friday, July 8, 2011 at a care center in Boise. Rose was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 8, 1925, to Catherine and George Janor. She had six siblings and grew up in both Pennsylvania and Woodside, New York, graduating from Bryant High School. Rose married her beloved husband Michael Silak on April 2, 1944. She then moved to California, where Michael was stationed in Alameda,and he later served in the US Navy aboard the USS Hughes in the Pacific theater of World War II. The couple moved to New York after the war, where they raised two daughters, Cathy and Michele. Rose was a devoted mother and wife, and worked as a waitress, along with managing the family's rental properties. In her spare time, Rose enjoyed gardening, knitting, sewing, baking and classic movies. The family enjoyed summers in upstate New York where they retired. Rose and Mike moved to Boise in 1985 to be closer to their daughter Cathy and her growing family. Rose loved her three grandchildren with all her heart, and spent many wonderful times with them. She was a glamorous and intelligent lady who loved her theater trips to New York City with daughter Michele. She also spent 11 years as a volunteer in the third grade classroom at the Owyhee Elementary School. Rose received the Boise Education Association's "Friend of Education" award in 2004. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and later St. John's Cathedral Parish. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Cathy Silak and Nicholas G. Miller, Boise; daughter Michele Silak, Brentwood, NH; grandchildren Hartley Miller, Princeton, NJ; Martha Chalfant (John), Boise; and Michael Miller, Menlo Park, CA; Rose's sister Virginia Jug of New Kensington, PA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, her parents and five other siblings. The family will greet friends on Wednesday July 13 from 6:30-7:00 PM at Summers Funeral Home, Boise Chapel. A Rosary Service will follow at 7 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday July 14 at 11 AM at St. John's Catholic Cathedral, Boise. Services are under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes. Rose's family thanks the caregivers at her assisted living facility and St. Luke's Hospice staff and volunteers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boise Public Schools Education Foundation, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise 83709.