Zorka Marie Tyanich DaSilva began her life journey on December 23, 1923 joining her parents Milicia and Gligor Tyanich and 6 siblings (two more came later) on a small farm near East Helena, MT. This journey ended when she died peacefully, in her sleep, on December 19, 2012 in Helena, MT.
Her early years were spent in schools in East Helena; moving to Helena as a young teenager and graduating from Helena High School in 1942.
Zorka’s innate curiosity and adventurous spirit drew her to join the Marine Corps in 1944. There she met and married Max DaSilva, the man who became her loving partner for 68 years.
Zorka and Max soon welcomed their first child, Michael, and they became a family of three. The three grew to five with the addition of Patricia and Maria.
Zorka thrived as a mother and homemaker, creating a welcoming and loving home where all who entered were greeted with sincere Serbian hospitality.
When her children were all safely in school Zorka entered the work world. She spent years serving the state of Montana working at the State Highway Patrol office, the Secretary of State’s office, and the State Legislature. She made many close connections and friends during her employment years and sparked a lifelong interest in politics.
Zorka and Max were fortunate to retire and travel to a warmer and sunnier climate during the winters for more than 25 years before health concerns kept them in Helena year-round.
Survivors are her adoring husband Max, her son Michael DaSilva (Judith, deceased), daughters, Patricia DaSilva and Maria DaSilva (Hans VanTilburg), and her devoted brother, Peter (Pat) Tyanich.
Other survivors include her beloved grandchildren: Donna (Tracey) Singer, Mick DaSilva, Tony (Casey) DaSilva, Adam (Natalie Melaschenko) Collins, Andrea Collins, and Sabina Van Tilburg. In addition, her ten great-grandchildren brought untold joy to Zorka as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and close family friends, all of whom Zorka kept in her heart.
Preceding her in death were her loved and loving parents, Milicia and Gligor Tyanich, and Zorka’s siblings and their spouses, Vasilia (Howard) Walden, Rodney (Marjorie) Tyanich, Ange (Tom) Miskovich, Helen(Al) Milholland, Josephine (Milan) Kovich, Mary (Robert) Olson, and Daniel (Alice) Tyanich.
The family is thankful for the wonderful care Zorka received from the VA Montana Health Care system, A Plus Health Care, Hospice of St. Peter’s, and Apple Rehab Cooney.
Dear, Dear, Dear, Dear, Darling Mother, Gramma, and Baba: we’ll forever love you mieces to pieces.
A funeral mass and memorial service will be held to celebrate Zorka’s life later, when the sun shines warmly and friends and family can easily gather to remember and share.
This, The Day
Twas this, the day that Gramma died
A life long held and lively spent
Has moved onto the next sure stage,
A thing she once said was feared, but seemed to be embraced near the moment.
A sadness is easily felt, as her essence was love and vibrant, now gone
A love I think given back to her by all who she knew
But somehow I am happy.
I am glad. She has journeyed and the transition didn’t seem to bring her the fear that she expected
Two days ago, hair in curlers, under the warmth of the dryer Gramma smiled.
“You’ll look beautiful,” I said. She shook her head in amazement.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” she mused. Or maybe, “It’s just marvelous,” an equally likely expression.
“I love you very much, Gramma.” “I know honey, I love you too.’”
She reached out with her unmistakably crooked, baby-soft hand and ran it along the perimeter of my face, staring into my eyes. It seemed the spark was gone from her pupils. Maybe just dimmed. Or flickering. But her wrinkled smile lines around her eyes were in full force, glowing and loving as always.
I’m going to miss you, Gramma. I don’t know if I said that. Maybe I did.
Adam Collins
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 4, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m..
Monday June 3, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Monday June 3, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
Family and Friends Service
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday June 2, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana
Helena , MT 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 4, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m..
Monday June 3, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Monday June 3, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
Family and Friends Service
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday June 2, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana
Helena , MT 59601
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Terry Sather says
Dasilva famiIy – Iam so sorry for your loss. Zorka was always one of my favorite people. I always thought she was beautiful and she was still beautiful in her golden years. I’m sure her loss will leave a great void in your lives. Terry Sather
Kathleen Murphy says
I am very sad to have lost my beautiful Godmother. What an honor it was to know her. She was the definition of a beautiful person, inside and out. May her family and friends, find peace in your hearts during this most difficult time. Rest in peace my dear Zorka.
Cheryl & Randy Vukasin says
Dear Da Silva Family,
On behalf of Apple-Cooney it has been such an honor to be of service. What a special family you are and we will greatly miss Zorka. Her smile would light up a room and she has touched our lives.
Respectfully,
Cheryl Vukasin
Paula Andre Elliott says
The DaSilva family,
The children of Ralph and Helen Andre wish to extend their deepest sympathy over the loss of your loved one, Zorka. We have all come to know Max and Zorka over the years as they were long time friends with our parents, having shared many wonderful times together. We know the pain and emptiness you are experiencing. We are convinced our mother (being quite the talker) is now happily visiting with Zorka and catching up on lost time. Rest in peace Zorka.
Paula, Jeanne, John and Steve Andre
Florence Jean Smading says
Zorka was always a favorite aunt from my childhood, and being only 9 yrs. older than I, she was more like a big sister. She was loving, caring and funny during her entire life. In recent years I had the pleasure – honor, actuallly – of spending time on the phone with her every week or so, and we had so much fun remembering way back to this or that, and reallly appreciating our Serbian heritage. She loved her God, her Family and everybody else it always seemed to me, and I wanted to be just like her. God creates special people all the time, but I think He broke the mold after he made her. She was a very powerful influence in my life, and she always will be. I do so look forward to seeing her in Heaven one day.
Connie Smading Musselman says
Aunt Zaz was one of my all-time favorite people from childhood on. Very few are able to truly make a young child/teen feel special, but she had a way of doing just that. She was the one to make us smile! Love emanated from her and Max….always. I loved having the privilege of seeing her a few times in the past year, and afterward commented to my family about her true beauty–her face and her heart. Losing Zaz from this earth is a true, felt loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with each of you in the family…. Much love, Connie
Diane Macaraeg-Langenfus says
Mike and DaSilva family,
I was so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. What a wonderful lady, I know she will be missed by all. God bless your family at this time.
diane
Nancy Tyanich says
My Dearest DaSilvas, I will ALWAYS remember Aunt Zaz as being a fun and lively person. She was a load of fun everytime you went to her house. Just to hear her telling her childhood growing up made her even more SPECIAL!! She will be missed. As she always said “I love you mieces to pieces”. Love, Nancy
Nancy Tyanich says
I also wanted to add that she was very lucky in games, whether it was the slots in Vegas, or the KENO games. She seemed to always win something. What a WONDERFUL lady and AUNTIE!