Dorothy Maxine Silver

Dorothy Maxine Silver, born in Boise in October 1, 1917, died peacefully on July 30, 2017. For almost 100 years Dorothy lived close to her family and friends in Boise spending her summers in a family cabin on the lake in McCall. She attended Collister Elementary School, Boise High School, and The College of Idaho. She grew up in the Collister area when only farmland and new homes were being built by WWII Vets in the area. She worked at Finch's Stationery Store in downtown Boise before becoming a 2nd grade teacher at the former Cole School. She loved teaching whether her second grade students, her Sunday School class or her little cousins, engaged them and treasured her time with all. She attended the Collister United Methodist Church every Sunday until the last few years.
As the oldest cousin of 27 in her generation, her family history is the gold mining days of Idaho City where her great grandfather once owned the hot springs as a bath house for miners. In Boise the large Turner family often gathered in homes or parks to celebrate special holidays and occasions. Dorothy loved these times and there are uncountable memories of the events. She also loved to bowl and go to baseball, basketball and football games with her family. She continued to watch these sports on TV in her last years. She loved to travel and kept wonderful diaries of the trips she took including many photos. She even rode a camel in Egypt and had a sharp sense of humor even in her last days.
In the summer her family and extended family gathered at McCall where her parents, aunts, and uncles had bought lakefront property in 1941. These were special times of good fun, good food, and huckleberry picking. She always protected and picked her patch and was ready to pitch in to help at meals or other chores, was thrilled to participate in all family gatherings. Her special cookies were layered chocolate chip and coconut bars asked for by her nephew, Don, every year. We miss her joy and smile, so glad we had many happy times with her. The family will always feel an empty spot in their hearts when sitting on the beach where she joined them.
For the past few years, Dorothy has lived at MorningStar retirement home where she was loved and given such good care. She finished her final days there under the care of Compassus hospice.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Frances Silver; her sister, Elizabeth; and her brother, Perry, Jr.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Collister United Methodist Church, 4444 W Taft Street, Boise, on Saturday, August 12 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the church or to the scholarship fund at The College of Idaho.