Obituary of Betty Silvestri

Betty Louise (Barnes) Silvestri of Simi Valley, California passed away December 31, 2012 in Simi Valley, California. Betty was born to Denton and Gayla (Akers) Barnes in Spencer, Indiana on February 19, 1930. She was the fifth child born into a family of 13 children. She was preceded in death by four sisters, Nancy Maryfield, Maxine Willis, Ruby Weigle, and Phyllis Volz. As well as three brothers, Haskell Barnes, Eugene Barnes, and Wayne Barnes. She is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Brown and Doris Craig from Bloomington, Indiana and Sue Borders from Florida. As well as two brothers, Jack Barnes from Bloomington, Indiana and Dean Barnes from Bedford, Indiana. In addition she is survived by her three children and their spouses, Son Gary Silvestri and wife Gloria. Daughters Patricia Conner and husband Don, Cheryl Clayton and husband Kevin. She had seven Grandchildren and their spouses, Bryan Conner and wife Sascha, Melissa Costa and husband Lynn, Nichole Conner, Jeff Silvestri, Amy Lonberger and husband Andy, Wesley Clayton and Fiance' Chelsey, Lindsay Faria and husband Weston. She also had 8 Great-Grandchildren, Kelsey Conner, Skyler and Payton Costa, Alissa, William and Abigail Lonberger, Giselle and Kobe Silvestri, and one on the way Timothy Conner. Betty moved to California in 1948, she was 19 years old, moving from Indiana to be with her sisters Nancy and Maxine. All three enjoyed their jobs as waitresses. Betty was proud to be working and helping to support her parents by sending a third of her wages back to them in Indiana. In 1949 Betty married William R. Silvestri and began the life of a Navy wife, having lived in San Diego, Escondido, Long Beach and Oxnard. She gave birth to three children, Gary, Patty and Cheryl. As her children grew and married she settled in Simi valley, where she watched them grow and prosper and the grandchildren grow into fine adults. Betty was a loving homemaker and devoted mother. She loved to cook, bake and sew. She would frequently sew matching dresses for Patty and Cheryl as they were growing up. She was proud of all three of her children, Gary, Patty and Cheryl. Betty was equally as proud of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She often would express her sense of humor by surprising them with funny jokes, such as one time she hung a fake leg out of a toilet to get a laugh out of them. She was very faithful and involved in her church, The Rock Church of Simi Valley. She was a big part of starting the church in Simi Valley. She enjoyed in her earlier years teaching children in Sunday School, she had a way with children, to influence them to give their hearts to God while they were young. She had a loving heart to always reach out and help those in need, and going through rough times. She opened her home many times to people so they could get back on their feet financially. She enjoyed traveling and sight seeing. There were many trips to Indiana to visit her mom and dad and siblings, often bringing one or more back home with her to visit for a while. Trips to the Kern River were made quite a few times for fishing and relaxation with the family and friends that would go with us. Her 80th birthday was a highlight for her, the family planned a big surprise party for her and invited many old friends and family to come and celebrate with her. She was so excited when her sister Doris Craig and brother in law Bill walked in and surprised her, it took her a while to get her breath. All the fun of the evening was highlighted with a DVD of her life that Cheryl her daughter worked so hard to put together for her. It brought tears to all our eyes. She finished her birthday week with her sister Doris and Brother in law Bill staying over and taking her sightseeing to Solvang, the Reagan Library and of course the Beach to enjoy the sea breeze, and to enjoy The Fish dinner that she enjoyed so much at Andrea's Cafe in Oxnard. She will be greatly missed by many, but she will always live on with many memories in our hearts of the wonderful Mother, Mother -in -law, Sister, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and friend that she was to so many. Final Resting place: Liberty Cemetery Steinsville, Indiana Memorial Service Scheduled; January 19, 2013 at 10:30 a.m The Rock Church of Simi Valley 27 W. Easy St, Ste 401 Simi Valley, California 93063 (805) 527-8329 or (805) 501-6513