Melinda Rose Silva

Melinda Rose Silva Born in San Jose, Calif., May 13, 1976. Died suddenly on Jan. 6, 2005, in Brooklyn, New York. In Melinda's very short life, she had multiple accomplishments beginning with her years at Campbell Middle School where she was a Commencement Speaker, in Yearbook Staff Leadership and received the Creative Writing Award. During her Westmont High School years, she served as student body president, homecoming court attendant and commencement speaker as well as starting an environmental club and literary magazine; additionally, she received many awards for speech, both in school and civic club competitions and delighted many with performances in both musical and dramatic school theatrical productions. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Reed College, Portland, Oregon with her published thesis exploring the Renaissance period relationship between patron and artist, an interest stimulated by her Jr. Year of study in Florence, Italy.

Following a post-graduation internship at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C., she commenced several years of work in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's Marketing/Communications/Publications Dept., serving in varied writing, publications and event production capacities. In September 2001, she commenced two years of study in London, England, first receiving a Masters/Art History from University College London and in September 2003, a Masters/Photographic Studies from University of Westminster.

Since November 2003, Melinda has lived in New York City where she has pursued free lance writing and photography and, until her death, was serving as Associate Publisher of index Magazine for which she also wrote, photographed and edited. Melinda has traveled extensively from her youth through present times and, along the way, learned languages and about art, people, cultures and literature; along the way, she touched many lives, developing an eclectic group of friends, acquaintances and associates. As one of her dearest friends said "she made so many of us her best friend and meant it." She will be missed dearly by all those whose lives she touched regardless of which "side of the pond" or wherever else they live.

Melinda is survived by her mother, Joanna Rose-Murray (formerly Joan Fernandes and Johanna Silva) and her step-father, Richard L. Murray, both previously of San Jose, now of Modesto, Calif. She is also survived by her three brothers & their families: Chris J. Silva, his wife, Lauren, and their daughters, Alexandra & Alyssa all of Folsom, Calif; Carlos D. Silva of Las Vegas, NV; David L. Silva, his wife, Monica, and their children, Nicholas, Marisa & Dante all of San Jose, Calif. She was preceded in death by her father, Carlos Fernandes Silva, who was born in Sao Miguel, Azores and was both employee and entrepreneur for many years in the Silicon Valley. Additionally, Melinda is survived by a step-sister and two stepbrothers and their families as well as many extended family who have served as "additional" moms, dads, brothers, sisters and in other assorted "special support roles" during her all-too-brief earthly life journey.

Celebrations of Melinda Rose Silva's life have been held in New York City and in London, England where she was interred on January 22 in Highgate Cemetery East which was a very special place to her. All interested persons are invited to join her family and friends on Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. at Lou's Village, San Carlos Street in San Jose for a Silicon Valley Celebration of her life. Response and other information can be obtained at www.silva-family.com.