Shirley Silbernagel

On Aug 26, 2023, Shirley Swarm Silbernagel passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side.

Shirley was the devoted wife of the late Frederick Lawrence “Larry” Silbernagel Jr. of Frederick, MD; devoted sister to Ann Swarm Onderdonk of Zionsville, IN and to the late brother John “Jack” Lewis Swarm of Owings Mills, MD; devoted mother to Frederick Lawrence “Fred” Silbernagel III (Douglas Cardin); of Burlington, VT, Laura Jane “Janie” Silbernagel of Frederick, MD, and John Edward Silbernagel (Carrie) of Bel Air, MD; devoted grandmother to Frederick Lawrence “Lawrence” Silbernagel IV (Lindsey), John Ray “Jay” Silbernagel (Ashley), Andrew Riggin Silbernagel (Julia), Allison Jane “Allie” Korotky, Christoper Clark “Chris” Korotky (Katie), and Elizabeth Cooper “Liz” Silbernagel. Shirley was especially blessed with seven great-grandchildren; Emmarilla Jane “Emma Jane” Silbernagel, Frederick Lawrence “Erik” Silbernagel V, John Nicholas “Johnny” Silbernagel, Madeline Ray “Maddie” Silbernagel, Henry Riggin “Riggin” Silbernagel, Lily Ray Silbernagel; and Josephine Rose Korotky; and was also the devoted aunt to Laura Onderdonk Martin, Phillip Barton “Bart” Onderdonk III, Elizabeth Swarm Cook (Michael), and great-aunt to Zachary Martin and Kaitlyn Ann Martin.

Shirley was born in 1931 to Jack and Virginia Swarm. She resided in Wichita, KS; Enid, OK; Bryan, TX; Lawrence, KS; and St. Louis, MO before her family settled in Towson, MD. Shirley attended and graduated from Towson HIgh School where she was a cheerleader. It was in Towson where her brother, Jack, introduced Shirley to her future husband. After she attended Mary Washington College and Larry attended Hampton Sydney College, the couple were married in 1951. They eventually moved to Frederick, MD where they raised their three children. Over the years Shirley was proud to be a Cub Scout den mother, a children’s choir director; and a life member and past President of both the Garden Club of Frederick and the Frederick Hospital Auxiliary. She also enjoyed working at Frederick Community College as a Veteran’s Counselor. Shirley truly loved her Tuesday Luncheon group, garden and bridge clubs, and her many close friends. Above all Shirley treasured time with her husband of 69 years, and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Shirley was genuinely interested in her family’s lives, and supported them wholeheartedly.

A private memorial service is planned for family only.  

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Frederick Community Foundation would be greatly appreciated.