Margaret Louise Silver

MARGARET LOUISE SILVER, 86 Margaret Louise Silver, 86, of Lakeland passed away peacefully from respiratory failure on May 26, 2012 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center while holding the hands of family members. Known as ""Margaret"" to those who met her through hospitals and nursing homes, and as ""Louise"" to everyone else, she was a kind and caring person who was loved by all who knew her. She was born Margaret Louise Bendler on December 16, 1925 in Wilmington, Delaware to Elmer and Margaret Bendler. Her father, a World War I veteran and harbor inspector on the Delaware River, died when she was two years old. Louise and her older brother were raised on small farms in central Delaware by their mother, who passed away in 1993. After graduating from high school and secretarial school she worked in Wilmington. In early 1946 she met the love of her life, Richard " a young Marine who had served on Guam and was an engineering student at the University of Delaware. They married on November 27, 1946 and celebrated 65 years of love in 2011. In 1961 they moved from Delaware to Yardley, Pennsylvania where they lived until they retired and moved to Lakeland in 1990. In addition to raising two children, Louise worked for more than 20 years as the administrator for Alvin Gershen & Associates, a city planning and housing consulting firm in Trenton, New Jersey. She was active for many years in Resurrection Lutheran Church in Yardley and Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland where, along with other activities, she served as President of the Altar Guild. She was a talented seamstress, gardener and cook who enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was tirelessly devoted to her children and to her husband, for whom she provided immeasurable amounts of care and comfort as his health declined in later years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Janice in 1988, and her brother, Bayard. She is survived by her loving husband Richard of Lakeland; son Gregory and daughter-in-law Dale of Milwaukie, Oregon; grandson Travis Peterson, his wife Nicole and daughter Noelle of Asheville, North Carolina; and five nephews and three nieces in Florida, Illinois and Delaware. Louise was a loving wife, mother and friend. She brought out the best in people and was quick with a hug, a smile and a ""thank you."" Although her heart eventually stopped beating, the love it contained will never cease, and will be felt forever by all those whose lives she touched. Louise and her family are grateful for the care and compassion of her long-time physician and friend Dr. Stephen Swengros of Watson Clinic; the staff and management of Highlands Lake Center; the nurses and assistants in the Palliative Care Unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center; Pam, Denise, Andi, Louise, Chaplain Ken and others at Cornerstone Hospice; and her wonderful friends and neighbors. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland on Thursday, May 31 at 7:00pm. Friends are welcome to arrive at 6:00 to reminisce. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests " actually, Louise suggested " a contribution to Cornerstone Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer""s Association. Service: 05/31/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801