D. Lucile Raymond Silvester, 97, passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2018. She was the daughter of the late John W. & Marguerite Reeves Raymond of Lawrenceville. Lucile was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John P. Silvester, her sisters, Jacqueline (Jackie) R. Ehret, Hannah R. Tindall, and Marguerite (Rita) Raymond, and Maggie, her beloved canine companion.
Lucile was named for her mother’s two sisters, Dorothy R. Weiser and Mary Lucile R. Hicks.
Lucile was a 1938 graduate of Princeton High School and a 1939 graduate of The George School, in Newtown, PA. Employed by Princeton Fuel oil during World War II, she also published a monthly newsletter for three years for her husband and friends serving in World War II, writing them consistently to keep them all in touch. She retired in 1945 to raise five children and build the family log home with her husband, John. “Chimney Lodge,” which it was affectionately named, became a welcoming paradise to neighbors, friends, and family, often in large numbers, coming from many miles. She was “Mom” or “Grammy” to all, and was most often found caring diligently for the extensive grounds. She enjoyed skiing until age 79, and skated on the pond into her 90s. She was well known for reaching out to and helping everyone around her and will be missed by all who knew her. When she moved to Pennington, NJ, at the age of 93, she quickly made new friends and pitched into gardening at several of the neighboring homes.
Lucile is survived by a daughter, Sandra Kay, of Lakeville, Massachusetts, four sons, John Putnam, Jr., of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Col. (Ret) Terry Reeves, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Mark Charles, of Flemington, and Kirk Canton, of Hopewell Township, four daughters-in-law, Sharon Faye, Janet Christy, Donna Risinger, Nan MacKellar, eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren, the seventeenth being expected in August.
There will be a brief graveside gathering at the Lawrenceville Cemetery, Route 206, Lawrenceville, on April 21, 2018, at 1:00 p.m . Lucile’s favorite charity was SAVE animal shelter, 900 Herrontown Rd., Princeton. Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com.
