Dorothy Cassina Silva

DOROTHY CASSINA SILVA passed away in her home on September 7, 2016 at age 73 after a long illness. She was born in Petaluma in 1943 to Pepper Road dairy ranchers William and Leah Cassina. A Swiss-Italian farmer's daughter and true Petaluma girl, she graduated from Petaluma High School in 1961, after being elected Petaluma High's very first Homecoming Queen in 1960. She would later work for 20 years as a medical assistant to Santa Rosa ear specialist Dr. Robert Bruner, and in those 20 years was never late for work and never called in sick. Her greatest joy was being a loving mother and grandmother, teaching her sons and grandchildren by example to work hard, help others, and always be kind to both people and animals. She is survived by her two sons, Cardinal Newman graduates Christopher Silva, CEO of St Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, and Jeffrey Silva (Stacy), a Wealth Management consultant in Sacramento, her brother William Cassina (Penny) of Roseville, as well as six grandchildren, Joseph and Sydney Silva of Santa Rosa, and Lauren, Benjamin, Molly, and Ari Silva of Sacramento. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Petaluma Future Farmers of America, 201 Fair Street, Petaluma, CA 94952.