Claudia Cantrell Silver

Claudia Cantrell Silver, beloved sister, wonderful mother, and cherished friend, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

Born in Salt Lake City, Claudia was the daughter of Lucius Cantrell and Thora Hokanson. After her father's passing, she gained another father, Bob Columbus, and spent her teenage years in Corpus Christi. Claudia was competitive with her older sisters, Barbara, and Kathy, and was even known to cheat to win games, her sisters reciprocated with tickles. A sporty youth, Claudia embraced activities such as tennis, tumbling, skiing, and neighborhood baseball.

Claudia graduated from South High in Utah in 1966, later continuing her education at Brigham Young University and Salt Lake Community College, where she earned her Dental Assistant certification.

Claudia married Michael Silver in 1978 and raised their son, Scott in Sandy. Claudia loved to travel and create family memories with trips to Disneyland, the cabin in Soapstone, and driving on exciting adventures up in the canyon. She loved making the holidays special with magical surprises for her family, especially with her famously delicious homemade caramels. When her husband suffered a near-fatal brain tumor, Claudia supported her family financially through her dental assistant career and emotionally through her kind and generous heart.

After separating from Michael in 2000, Claudia moved in with her best friend and sister, Kathy. Known to their ward as "The Sisters", they were practically twins, often unintentionally buying the same clothes or furniture. Along with Kathy’s two sons, Fred, and Jeff, they loved to travel and went on many cruises throughout the Caribbean and Alaska. Committed to never letting Kathy do anything alone, Claudia aided in Kathy's role in Compassionate Service for 15 years and sang with her in the Jordan River Tabernacle Choir.

A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Claudia served at the Jordan River Temple for over a decade. She collected many copies of both the Bible and the Book of Mormon and left a rainbow of highlights, thoughts, and annotations in every copy she could. She also enjoyed the writings of apostles and loved Music & The Spoken Word.

Claudia's beautiful alto voice and self-taught piano skills filled her home with LDS hymns. Her grandchildren loved it when their “Grandmama” allowed them to play her prized piano, and while she would warn everyone else to be careful, she would smile as they played their first notes and even tried to teach them a song or two. She also served as Ward Chorister, thoughtfully selecting, and leading each song with her faithful baton.

In 2006 Claudia was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a year of treatment, she was pronounced cancer-free and remained in remission for eight years. She beat cancer a second time in 2014. In 2023, she received a third cancer diagnosis and diligently fought with strength, patience, and determination.

Claudia is survived by her father, Bob Columbus; sisters, Kathleen Fowler, and Barbara Bigler; nephews and nieces, Jeffery, Fred, Nora, Darlene, Missy, and Shanna Joe; son, Scott Silver; and grandchildren, Gwendolyn, and Theodore. She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Silver, and her daughter, Alisa.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah. A viewing from 10:00-10:45 am with funeral services following at 11:00 am will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Crescent 16th Ward located at 275 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.