Gladys Silber Obituary

Gladys Marie (Paugh) Silber of Front Royal, Virginia, died peacefully in her sleep in her home on December 5, 2024. Born on July 6, 1919 on a farm near Oakland, Maryland to the late Robert Scott Paugh and Mabel Browning Paugh, she was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Frank Charles Silber.

After graduating from Oakland High School in Oakland, Maryland in 1935, Gladys graduated from Catherman's Business College in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1937. In 1941, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After she and Frank married in 1942, she transferred to the War Department and later to Edgewood Arsenal with the Chemical Warfare Service and the Chemical Corps. In 1953, they built their home in Falls Church, Virginia. In 1962, she retired to give birth to their daughter, Lisa. From the mid-1950's until 1983, Gladys and Frank owned and operated Falls Church Plumbing and Heating, Inc. In 1981, Gladys returned to federal employment with the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency and retired with 24 years of federal service. In 2001, six years after Frank died, she moved to Front Royal, Virginia to begin a new life.

Fiercely independent, she lived in her new home for 23 years. She was in excellent health and was not hospitalized between 1962 and 2024. She drove her car until 2020. She loved meeting new people, eating at her favorite restaurants, sending Christmas cards, and watching the birds at her bird feeder. A devout Christian and Republican, she followed politics as avidly as some people follow baseball.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Lisa Silber Mauck (Dwayne), of Front Royal, Virginia, grandson Derrick Mauck (Cassandra) and great granddaughters, Mackenzie Mauck and Mackayla Mauck of Warrenton, Virginia. Predeceased by several nieces and nephews, Gladys is survived by nephews James Owendoff, Michael Paugh, Bill Athey, and nieces Donna Paugh, Cathy Shaffer, Denise Blankinship, Kay Himes, Frances Vandivier, Norma Schlosnagle, and Mary Silber, and their extended families. She is also survived by cousins Jane Bennighof of Lutherville, Maryland, and Janet Paugh of Oakland, Maryland. Gladys was predeceased by her brothers, Rob Roy Paugh, Jeremiah Lester Paugh and her sisters, Vauda Owendoff Schwanke and Oma Paugh Moses.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Church at Skyline, 7655 Stonewall Jackson Highway, Front Royal, Virginia, on Saturday, December 14th at 3:00 p.m. Family visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Garrett County Memorial Gardens, 881 Memorial Drive, Oakland, Maryland on Sunday, December 15th at 1:00 p.m. She will be buried alongside the love of her life, Frank Silber, in the town where they met in 1939. Pallbearers will be Derrick Mauck, James Owendoff, Nathan Owendoff, John Owendoff, Michael Paugh, and Manuel Tederick.

In lieu of flowers, Gladys requested family and friends consider donating to The Church at Skyline Building Expansion Fund at thechurchatskyline.com/giving

Condolences may be sent to the family at maddoxfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal, Virginia.