Mary Ann Gaughan Silka passed away April 29, 2025 at the Embassy of Willard Skilled Nursing Facility at the age of 96. She was born in Pittston, PA on January 2, 1929 to William Gaughan and Elizabeth Sempa Gaughan. Mary Ann graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School in Pittston. She married Alfred J. Silka in January 1953. He was a career Air Force NCO and they relocated more than 15 times during his career, with one move taking them to Madrid, Spain. Mary Ann never failed to make each new location feel like home.
Mary Ann was a homemaker, making sure that everyone in the family was well taken care of, and happy. She enjoyed soap operas, crossword puzzles, playing the piano and surfing the internet. One of her favorite pastimes was spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Since the late 1960’s, she was a member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church and attended mass regularly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred. She is survived by daughters Laura (Larry) Phillips of Mansfield, Mary Ann (John) Kudrak of Lexington, and son Michael (Bonnie) Silka of Lexington. She is also survived by grandchildren Mark (Debi) Carroll, Kathryn (Doug) Edwards, Ashley (Daren) Sowers, Bryan and Sydney Phillips and great-grandchildren Kayla, Emma, Roman, Isla, Ezra, Wells and Lawson.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Embassy of Willard, and the Buckeye Hospice and Palliative Care for their kindness and loving care of their mother during her stay.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, 1630 Ashland Road, Mansfield. Visitation will take place an hour prior at the Church. A private burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Pennsylvania at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School.
Herlihy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
www.herlihyfh.com
Funeral Home: Herlihy Funeral Home
Website: www.herlihyfh.com