Barbara Ann Silverander

May 29, 1953 – October 15, 2010

Barbara Silverander, a Santa Barbara resident for more than 30 years, died peacefully at home on October 15, 2010 from complications of lung cancer. She was 57. A fiercely free spirit and independent thinker, Barbara was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After studying briefly at the University of Michigan, she moved to California and settled at Lake Tahoe, where she lived for seven years, eventually establishing an independent bookstore called Cheshire Books. In 1979 she and her husband, Michael, moved to Santa Barbara, where their son, David, was born. Over the years Barbara built a career in financial management, helping to bring organization and calm to both non-profits and growing companies in a wide range of industries. She also found time to complete her college education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Throughout her life, Barbara exhibited a strong spirit of volunteerism and knew with certainty that she was enriched by helping others. She had a keen awareness of the suffering of those around her, and often sought out people most in need of a friend. Whether serving as a buddy for AIDS patients or helping with a needle exchange program, it gave her great happiness to be of service.

Barbara is survived by her son, David Silverander; her brother and sister-in-law, Richard Bohlander and Rebecca Shepherd; her nieces, Maggie and Annie Bohlander; and her ex-husband, Michael Silverander. She is also survived by many loving and loyal friends, with whom she shared countless holidays and special occasions over the years.

A memorial for Barbara will be held on Sunday, October 24th at 2pm in the Singleton Pavilion at Elings Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation.