Obituary: Cary Silver, 54, First Female President of Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club

BIOGRAPHY

Cary Silver, age 54, passed away on September 13, 2013 after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Kit Silver, and her two adored sons, Jay age 16 and Ryan age 13. She is also survived by her parents, William and Susan Margach of Naples, Florida, and two brothers, Robert Margach of Flower Mound, Texas and William “Chip” Margach of San Mateo, California. 

Cary attended Fairport High School in Upstate New York. At the age of 16, she traveled to Nairobi, Kenya—an experience that would change her life forever. She climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and studied African culture and Swahili at a Nairobi college. She marveled at the magnificent herds of animals and later wrote about the travesty of poaching. 

The experience ignited an interest in both journalism and photography. She attended the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she received a BSJ and MSJ with honors. She served as an intern reporter at the Miami Herald in Florida and as a Washington correspondent for the Great Falls Tribune in Montana. She also achieved a life-long dream of working with dolphins in a communications project for the National Science Foundation. 

As an undergraduate, Cary met the enduring love of her life, Kit Silver, a law student who proposed to her at the John Hancock Building in Chicago. She called him “her rock” and he nicknamed her “Golden Hair.” Cary remarked how fortunate she was to meet the man of her dreams at such a relatively young age. They resided in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, for many years, and later moved to the nearby suburb of Northbrook. 

In 1984, Cary began a 21-year career at the non-profit humanitarian organization, Rotary International. She became the magazine’s first female managing editor and its first executive editor. In 1995, she became the first female president of the Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse. 

Cary’s zest for life and spirit of adventure took her to more than 30 countries, often for her work. Her articles covered topics ranging from polio eradication to global warming. She loved exploring new cultures and made friends in countries as diverse as Thailand, Nigeria, the Philippines, and New Zealand. She had especially fond memories of her adventurous trek in the Amazon rainforest, riding camels in the Australian desert, and going black water rafting in the caves of New Zealand. One of her favorite countries was Bali, Indonesia, because of its pristine beauty and local artistry. 

Cary had many diverse interests, including a passion for horseback riding and competing in traditional Japanese karate. She also served as president of the Toastmasters Club of Evanston, where she won numerous awards for public speaking. 

Cary always had a special connection and deep love for animals—any kind of animal. She was an ardent advocate for their humane treatment and wrote many articles to increase public awareness of wildlife preservation, animal cruelty, and poaching. She loved her loyal and affectionate Labrador retriever, Max, who kept her constant company. 

The next chapter of Cary’s life began with the addition of the couple’s two sons, Jay and Ryan. Above all else, Cary was committed to her family. She was so proud of her two sons. She became an enthusiastic spectator at Jay’s cross-country and track meets, and cheered for Ryan at his football and baseball games. She loved sharing special moments with her sons, including going camping, visiting the Botanic Gardens, exploring downtown Chicago, spending spring break with her parents in Florida, enjoying activities with her husband’s family, organizing birthday parties and “overnighters,” and taking the boys on extended “road trips”out West. 

Cary will be remembered for her dedication to various causes, especially children’s welfare and animal rights. She had an innate ability to envision the future and a special empathy for the plight of other people, regardless of culture or background. Her friends of many nationalities remarked that she lived her life with boundless energy, integrity, and sensitivity. 

Her legacy will live on through her writing, photographs, and—above all—her husband and two boys. More than anything else, Cary cherished her family. 

Monday October 14, 2013, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60201 

Monday October 14, 2013, 10:00 AM at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60201 

Memorial donations may be made to:
American Cancer Society, 100 Tri-State International Suite 125, Lincolnshire,IL 60069

This obituary was reprinted with permission of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.