Founding member Betty Ann Silva died July 23 following an illness. Betty Ann was the last of our founding members and valued for her encyclopedic knowledge of Forge history and lore. Forge’s “Grande Dame,” she will be missed. A memorial service will be held at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge Park at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 31.
In lieu of flowers, Forge will be making donations to both the American Cancer Society and the Arthritis Foundation in Betty Ann’s memory. If you would like to contribute, you may donate at our Annual Banquet on August 14; Forge will match all donations we receive that night. If you would like to contribute, but are unable to attend the banquet, please send your donation by August 30 to:
Forge Theatre
ATTN: Betty Ann Silva Memorial
P.O. Box 494
241 First Avenue
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Checks should be made payable to “Forge Theatre.”
Please feel free to share your memories of Betty Ann in the comments section, below.
Filed under: Announcements
From every nail that she hammered to create our building , every role she ever played on our stage, to every red chair she sold or cajoled us to sell for our 25th anniversary, Betty Ann Silva loved Forge Theatre with all of her heart and soul! Her only concern was that we would remain a successful, vibrant, and creative community theatre (and of course, that we would all adhere to the by-laws!!) Even from her hospital bed, she wanted Forge news! For those of us who knew her and loved her, she will be so very sadly missed! Rest in peace, dear friend!
Betty Ann Sylva will always be remembered for her kindness and wisdome. She was most helpful to me during my years of service on the Forge Theater Board. I’m thankful to have had her friendship.