MARGERY GRAY SCHIEBER SILK 12.9.1924 - 12.12.2025
Margery Gray Schieber Silk, born December 9, 1924, in Los Angeles, California, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 101.
She was proud of her heritage as a third generation Californian. In 1863 her great-grandparents, Joseph Henry Gray and Ann Jones Gray, founded Truckee - which became a crucial railroad and lumber town along the Central Pacific Railroad.
Margery graduated from South Pasadena / San Marino High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. She began her studies at Stanford University earning her degree from UCLA in 1945. Margery's passion for art history led her to New York University where she pursued a master's degree.
While skiing at Stowe Vermont, she met her future husband, New Zealander and LIFE Staff Photographer, George Silk. They married in San Marino, California in November of 1947.
Margery's enthusiasm for the world around her was boundless. She had a keen interest in art, architecture, birds as well as other animals, music and culinary pursuits. She traveled around the world extensively pursuing these interests.
A lifelong gardener, tennis and bridge player, Margery was a member of the Westport Garden Club, The Bronx Botanical Gardens, The Bronx Zoo as well as local tennis and bridge groups. Through the years she was an active member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Aspetuck Land Trust, Friends of Sherwood Island, and CT Audubon Society. At Cedar Point Yacht Club she would occasionally crew for her husband or drive her children to regattas.
Margery WAS that "lady in tennis shoes and tennis skirt" who came of age in the 1960s and 70s and who championed the "good fights" by writing letters in a multitude of directions. She volunteered selflessly to promote and protect the environment. She was a founding member of the Aspetuck Land Trust and a leader of the charge to defeat an initiative to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island. Margery was a protestor or a supporter of causes with no fear of being heard.
Margery is survived by her three children: Stuart Naylor Silk, Georgiana Bulfinch Silk, Shelley Gray Silk Wehrly and their spouses; eight grandchildren: Michael Stuart Silk, Alexis Silk, Bryan Silk Liggett, Kate Silk Liggett, Alexander Bulfinch Liggett, Stuart Brokaw Wehrly, Liza Wehrly Andrews and Christopher Bulfinch Wehrly and their spouses. There are twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her spirit of wonder and love of learning. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Aspetuck Land Trust and Friends of Sherwood Island.
Margery Gray Schieber Silk, born December 9, 1924, in Los Angeles, California, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 101.
She was proud of her heritage as a third generation Californian. In 1863 her great-grandparents, Joseph Henry Gray and Ann Jones Gray, founded Truckee - which became a crucial railroad and lumber town along the Central Pacific Railroad.
Margery graduated from South Pasadena / San Marino High School in 1941 as valedictorian of her class. She began her studies at Stanford University earning her degree from UCLA in 1945. Margery's passion for art history led her to New York University where she pursued a master's degree.
While skiing at Stowe Vermont, she met her future husband, New Zealander and LIFE Staff Photographer, George Silk. They married in San Marino, California in November of 1947.
Margery's enthusiasm for the world around her was boundless. She had a keen interest in art, architecture, birds as well as other animals, music and culinary pursuits. She traveled around the world extensively pursuing these interests.
A lifelong gardener, tennis and bridge player, Margery was a member of the Westport Garden Club, The Bronx Botanical Gardens, The Bronx Zoo as well as local tennis and bridge groups. Through the years she was an active member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Aspetuck Land Trust, Friends of Sherwood Island, and CT Audubon Society. At Cedar Point Yacht Club she would occasionally crew for her husband or drive her children to regattas.
Margery WAS that "lady in tennis shoes and tennis skirt" who came of age in the 1960s and 70s and who championed the "good fights" by writing letters in a multitude of directions. She volunteered selflessly to promote and protect the environment. She was a founding member of the Aspetuck Land Trust and a leader of the charge to defeat an initiative to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island. Margery was a protestor or a supporter of causes with no fear of being heard.
Margery is survived by her three children: Stuart Naylor Silk, Georgiana Bulfinch Silk, Shelley Gray Silk Wehrly and their spouses; eight grandchildren: Michael Stuart Silk, Alexis Silk, Bryan Silk Liggett, Kate Silk Liggett, Alexander Bulfinch Liggett, Stuart Brokaw Wehrly, Liza Wehrly Andrews and Christopher Bulfinch Wehrly and their spouses. There are twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her spirit of wonder and love of learning. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Aspetuck Land Trust and Friends of Sherwood Island.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margery Gray Schieber Silk, please visit our flower store.
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