Marian Silver

Marian Petchesky Silver passed away in her home on Sunday April 24.

Born October 18, 1932 to Barnett and Pauline Petchesky, Marian was a Santa Fe native who supported and cherished her hometown. She met her husband Abe Silver Jr. while attending Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans and the two married a few short months after meeting. They instantly became partners in business and in life, while working to enrich the community. The two owned and managed The Guarantee on the Plaza, Santa Fe’s first women’s department store, until it closed in 1988. As a buyer for the store, Marian was solely responsible for making a number of women in Santa Fe feel stylish and beautiful.

And their contributions for the city they loved didn’t stop there. Abe and Marian gave tirelessly to aide in the growth of Santa Fe Opera and the Santa Fe Museum Foundation, among many other institutions. Marian’s family was instrumental in establishing what is today Temple Beth Shalom. For their kindness and benefaction, the pair received many accolades, including the Santa Fe Living Treasures honor and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. 

Though she was never far from her husband’s side, Marian dabbled in many enterprises of her own. She was the first woman on the board of NorWest bank and served on the Christus St. Vincent's foundation and was an Auxiliarian for 50 years. She was the President of the Museum of New Mexico’s Women’s Board, co-chaired the Regents Circle of the Museums of New Mexico, and was asked to be on the coin commission for the state of New Mexico. She was also a Board member of the Friends of the Kennedy Center, was on the board of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the National Dance Institute. She did all of this while raising three children — John, Margaret, and Carolyn — who grew up to share their parents’ love for Santa Fe and desire to make the world a better place. 

A lover of bridge, travel, tennis, and tap dancing, Marian was a bright social butterfly that lit up every room she entered. Perpetually dressed to the nines and never without a smile, she made better the lives of the many who knew her. She will be remembered as a cornerstone of the community, a stylish socialite, an amazing mother, and the world’s best Granny.

Marian was preceded in death by Abe Silver Jr., Scott Jones, and John Silver. She is survived by Carolyn Silver and Margaret Silver Jones, her daughter-in-law Gloria Silver, her grandchildren Thomas Silver, Johanna Silver, Alyson Hendrix and her husband Max Hendrix. 

Services will be held May 11, at 3:00 PM at Temple Beth Shalom in person preferably with a mask or by streaming at www.sftbs.org