Obituary of Martha L Silliman

Our beloved, Martha Dagrosa Silliman, passed away after a valiant fight with lymphoma on Saturday, April 30, 2022. She brought a lightness to this world and will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Martha was born June 28,1960, the daughter of Anthony Dagrosa and Jenny Pellegrino. Martha enjoyed a rich childhood that filled her with a travel bug. She graduated in 1978 from Martin Van Buren High School, following her brother and sister and later attended Adelphi University studying business. In 1988 Martha married Richard Silliman and they have resided in West Hempstead ever since. Martha was always a star employee and in every job she held she became an essential component to the success of the business. She adored her coworkers at Raynor Marketing and loved to tell the stories of the customers she calmed and the problems she solved. Martha was described by many as spunky, likely coming from her traits as an optimistic adventurer, thrill seeker, and avid explorer. Her hobby was acting as the family travel agent. Each year for their wedding anniversary she and Rich would select two states and do a deep dive of everything from National Parks and historic homes, to off the beaten path spots such as the Barbed Wire Museum. Martha loved life, and was game to jet ski, snow ski, and experience the most exhilarating and terrifying amusement park rides she and Rich could find. She loved to explore everything from estate sales to high cuisine. Some of her favorite activities included Broadway Shows, reading and watching anything related to the Outlander TV show, and living up to the role of best gift giver ever (just ask the children). Martha never knew a stranger and cultivated friends with her skill of “world’s best hugger.” She loved to gather people and held legendary Academy Award Parties, Christmas Eve dinners, surprise boat parties, and she planned with other family members the annual Cirelli family reunion. She also gathered animal friends, because in Martha’s world there was no such thing as a stray cat. These cats were all basically new family members. Martha is survived by her heartbroken husband Rich, who describes her as the true love of his life. Also grieving her loss are her family including her sister Lynnette Dagrosa, her brother Clifford Dagrosa (Laurel), her sister-in-law Karen Karp (Bob Ronau), and her nieces, and nephews, Matthew (Christine), Jeffrey (Pamela), Matthew, Margaret (Billy Johnson), Keisha, Alysia, Kirsten, and the great nieces and great nephews, Jack, Emma, Owen, Pepper, and Ace, and her devoted cats Sassy, Beau, and Kira. She is also survived by loving cousins, extended family, dear friends, and colleagues. Martha’s passion was to live life to the fullest and that quality will be how she is remembered. Her family and friends hope to follow her example by bringing zest, smiles, hugs, and grace to our daily lives as the best way for all of us to never forget her. There will be a visitation held to celebrate her life at Krauss Funeral Home at 1097 Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, New York 11010 (https://kraussfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1427/Martha-Silliman/obituary.html#tribute-start) on Tuesday, May 2, 2022 from 2-5PM and 7-9PM with a service at 7:30PM. For the entombment there will be a short service at 11AM at the Krauss Funeral Home followed by a procession to the gravesite at Pinelawn Cemetery in Farmingdale on Wednesday, May 3, 2022 at noon. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Hospital, North Shore Animal League, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the charity of your choice.