Cover photo for Dawn Silva's Obituary
Dawn Silva Profile Photo
1924 Dawn 2020

Dawn Silva

April 10, 1924 — April 30, 2020

Connellsville

Dawn Cagey Ryan Silva, age 96, of Connellsville, Pa, passed away on Thursday April 30, 2020, in the Uniontown Hospital just 5 days after her brother, Dana “Dan” Cagey passed away on April 25, 2020 in St. Clairsville, Oh.

She was born on Thursday April 10, 1924 to Lester and C. Edna Bryner Cagey, in the home built by her great grandfather, Michael Cagey, that still exists today, in the area once known, as Cagey Farm Lands and now known as Greater Point Marion in Springhill Twp., Fayette County.

In addition to her parents, Dawn was predeceased by her husband R. Dale Ryan, her second husband, Cecilio Silva, daughter Priscilla “Patti” Ryan Engle; grandsons, Steven Engle, Stanley Ryan; great-great- granddaughter, Arielle Kinsman, sisters; and infant sister Cagey, Lulu May Leonard, A. June Cagey, Wanda Humbert, A. Edna Jae, brothers; Arthur Cagey, Dana “Dan” Cagey and A. Lee Cagey, a daughter- in- law Linda Ryan. She was also predeceased by a wonderful lady, her mother’s best friend and a Cagey relative who became her mother figure as she herself became the mother figure to her younger siblings when her own mother passed away at the age of 37, the youngest being just 6 days old.  Dawn was 14 and that wonderful lady was Goldie Blosser Ball. They shared the Cagey/Blosser cemetery that contains many of their shared relatives that was used until it was filled. She was also predeceased by many sister and brother in laws and nieces and nephews.

A close-knit family, our beloved mother is survived by many, a son Doyle Ray Ryan and daughters, Clara Ryan McNair and husband Larry, Janet Ryan Teets, and husband Tom with whom she made her home for the past 13 years. She is also survived by many more wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, great great great grandchildren, her surviving siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Bonnard of Signal Mountain, Tn., Ada Anthony and her husband John of Essex, Md., Francis “Frank” Cagey of Seaford, Delaware, two sisters in law, Mary Jo Cagey of Pittsburgh, Jean Burns of Florida, son in law Samuel Engle, Sr., of Browns Mills, N.J., Many nieces and nephews and a dear close family friend Joan Dietz of Finleyville, Pa.

A very honorable mention to special ones that committed their time and energy to fulfill her daily and other needs, amazing granddaughters Dawana Gerber, Jenne Ryan, granddaughter in law Jennifer McNair, great granddaughters, Daphne Kinsman, Jana Welsh, Heidi Welsh, Amanda Pillar, Dawana McNair, great grandson Joshua McNair, great great granddaughter Hai-Lei Rugg. Also, a warm thank you to all of the other fantastic ladies that contributed their loving care for her essential needs throughout those years.

Two kind and loving young adult grandsons, Paul McNair II., of Franklin and Keith McNair of Scottdale who moved in with Dawn in her later years. As they pondered what to do with their lives while they worked, took extra care of schooling and sometimes entertained their friends, they gave her much needed daily company, cleaned the house and helped cook food and wash dishes. Three other grandsons raised in New Jersey never forgot their beloved grandmother as they raised their families, two also grandparents themselves, Samuel Engle, Jr., and wife Terry of Chester Va., Robert Engle and wife Josette of Browns Mills, N.J. and Richie Engle and wife Lemi of Arabi, LA.

A very awe-inspiring young lady Regan Hall loved her great great grandma beyond measure and wanted to see her often, bringing her little gifts she made and other trinkets as she inspected her from head to toe, the bond between them was tremendous, now age 7 this little girl is heartbroken. Dawn was raised on a dairy farm in the home her father built on his portion of the Cagey Farmlands where she and her family were very happy even during the depression years. They had an apple orchard and a few other fruit trees and gardens and the food that grew in the wild in addition to the cows, they had chickens, and rabbits and a pet cat they named Futtendoodle and had a funeral for him when he died. While their dad made swings and wagons and a merry go round for them their mom made clothes and stuffed animals and the best tasting foods. She also played the piano and sang them songs with her beautiful singing voice and told them stories that they never forgot. They went to school at the Cagey Schoolhouse that was named for Jacob Cagey when he donated the property. A road remains that is called Cagey School Road. The sadness came when their mother became ill and did not survive. A few years later their dad also passed away and Dawn raised the remaining younger children along with her own children.

An avid reader and collector of recipes, Dawn usually created her own recipes that were so appetizing they continue to be created today. She also was a remarkable seamstress, she loved traveling across the United States and also made visits to Canada and Mexico. If she could not see her children and grandchildren as often as she wanted to, she would mail them some goodies, usually her delicious homemade poppyseed cake or homemade cookies. Dawn dearly loved her family. A legend in her own right, Dawn had a wonderful story to be told.

Dawn attended meetings in Connellsville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness for many years. She studied often with Sister Melvis Lewis and others. She loved all that she was learning and loved our Heavenly Father Jehovah.

Due to protective measures during the current pandemic visitation and services are private and by invitation only with Brother Michael Livingston officiating.

An open memorial service will be held for Dawn at a later date at the convenience of her family.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Baker-Terravecchia Funeral Home, Inc., 71 Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, PA.

Interment will be private in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New Geneva, PA.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dawn Silva, please visit our flower store.

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