Silvia R. (Silvagni) von Sacken, age 66, of Sandown, NH died on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, NH surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Paul von Sacken with whom she shared 42 years of marriage.

She was born in Portland, ME on October 29, 1957 and was the daughter of the late Alex C. and Monita (Fournier) Silvagni.

Silvia grew up in in Lynnfield, MA.  After the untimely passing of their mother, Monita, Silvia assumed the role of caretaker to her younger brothers, Marc and Sandy, until their father married Jean Wakeford of Maine.

Silvia earned her B.A. in Psychology from Merrimack College, and later earned her Master's in Social Work from Boston University.  She worked in private practice in southern NH, serving families, children, adolescents and adults for over 25 years.  Later in her career, Silvia worked as an instructor for the Boston University School of Social Work.

Silvia devoted her life to helping others through her clinical work and support of many nonprofit organizations, including Planned Parenthood, the Special Olympics, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Sierra Club, and NH Audubon Society.  An avid nature lover, Silvia and Paul spent many weekends at their vacation home in Bethel, Maine, hiking, kayaking and enjoying the sunshine on their back porch.  Silvia and Paul were also experienced campers, and Silvia once canoed the Allagash with her brother Marc.

Silvia was smart, thoughtful, reliable, and most of all, kind.  She was steadfast in her commitment to her family, for whom there was nothing she wouldn't do.  She was the type of person who remembered everyone's favorite treat and made it special for them at each holiday gathering... Homemade chex mix for Sandy, volcano cookies for Jessie, winter lentil soup for Gabriella, "Nana's meatballs" for Ash, etc.  Silvia remained dedicated to her work and the clients she served until the very end, exchanging frequent phone calls and texts, often from a hospital bed.  Silvia prioritized others over herself, with very little exception.  She was selfless with her time, and generous of spirit.  She will be profoundly missed.

Silvia is survived by her husband, Paul, her daughter Heather Austin and husband Samuel (Sto) Austin of South Berwick, ME, her siblings, Marc Silvagni and wife Suzanne Silvagni of Beverly, MA, Sandy Silvagni and partner Maureen Lasonde of Nashua, NH, Michael Cavic, Mark Cavic, Matthew Cavic and Michelle Cavic; her nieces and nephews who she loved like her own, Gabriella, Juliana, Sabrina, Jessica, Tiffany and Jonathan; many cherished cousins, including Mary, Alex, Carolyn, Matthew, Josephine, Antoinetta, and Juliana; and finally, perhaps her favorite person of all time, her only grandson, Ash Austin, with whom she spent many blissful afternoons going to the library, the driving range, and of course, to see the bees.  Silvia was preceded in death by her brother Wayne Miller of FL, her stepmom Jean Wakeford, and her cousins Donny and Michelle Schaefer.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, July 1, 2024  from 5pm – 7pm at the Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main Street Plaistow, NH. Her funeral service and interment will be held privately.