Geraldine A. Silvi

1955 - 2018

Geraldine Geri Ann Silvi on June 15, 2018, the great Archangel Raphael spread his mighty wings enveloping Geri with his love, reuniting her with her beloved father and all her loved ones on the other side. Geri was full of divine light and inner grace, touching everyone she met with her belief in forgiveness, humility, generosity, unconditional love and a good laugh. Geri was born January 18, 1955 in Norwood, Massachusetts to Domenic and Anna Silvi. Geri was the youngest and most loved member of her big beautiful Italian family, and grew up in Walpole with her three brothers and sister. Geri had a passion for the performing arts from a young age and, as a member of her High School Drama Club, won an award in her senior year for her spirited rendition of the maid Rheba in You Cant Take It with You. Geri always dreamt of warm sunshine on her face on long walks home from school during many cold, harsh winters. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1973 to attend Arizona State University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. While working a demanding job with developmentally disabled youths was extremely rewarding, federal cutbacks in the 80s meant moonlighting at Diamonds box office (then Dillards) until she landed the job as Assistant Box Office Manager for The Phoenix Symphony, a position she held for six years. Geri loved symphonic music but her heart was in the theater, so when Arizona Theatre Company offered her the Ticket Services Manager position, she took it! Geris two great loves of her life were her children Derek (1989) and Torrey (1992). As a single mother, she sacrificed and saved to provi de her boys with a caring home, a good education and guided them spiritually into adulthood. During her 29 years at ATC, she was a friend, counselor and cheerleader to tens of thousands of arts lovers in Arizona. She believed in the motto Well make it work and happily accommodated the most difficult patron requests with a smile and a true interest in each persons life. Among many recognitions of her service, On Media honored Geri with the title of Arts Hero for March 2017. Geri was a devout Catholic and, while her children were young, volunteered at Sunday School classes at the Franciscan Renewal Center and St. Francis Xavier Parish, where she was a member. Geri was an avid photographer and reveled in capturing the essence of the people she cherished in photos as well as scenes from nature. She loved the ocean and was able to spend time with her family on Cape Cod and with her friends, David and Michele, at their cottage by the sea in Oregon. In 2013 Geri was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and fought valiantly against all odds, while still working right up until the last few weeks of her life. Geri is survived by her sons Derek (Juliana) and Torrey (Amanda); her mother Anna; her brothers Domenic (Dee), Paul (Joan) and David; her sister Roberta (Bill); nieces Christina, Elizabeth (Matthew), Joanna (Sanchu), Michelle and Stephanie; nephews Brandon (Anais), Jared (Jessica), Scott and three great nephews; her granddaughter Romina, plus her cats Kiki G, Penny and City Boy. Geri was a ray of light and a beacon in the night for those of us who needed a shoulder to cry on, a big, warm Geri hug, or encouragement to go for our dreams. Geri believed the arts are a looking glass into our humanity.They never ceased to thrill her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Arizona Theatre Company (www.arizonatheatre.org) in her name. Her family and friends wish to thank everyone who loved Geri and those who helped her in her struggle with cancer including Hospice of the Valley.