Marin Focus: Remembering Silvia Prodan Lange

It seemed only fitting that Spring wildflowers were blooming in profusion this weekend on the hillsides of Angel Island, as friends and family of Silvia Lange gathered there to celebrate her life. 

Lange, a 77-year-old West Marin woman who went missing from Point Reyes National Seashore nearly two months ago, was remembered by those closest to her in an emotional tribute laced with story, music, song and poetry. The celebration included a BBQ lunch and ended with a hike to Lange's favorite oak tree at the top of the Island.

(See the complete photo album here)

"Silvia would just be so impressed to see how many friends showed up here today."

Those paying tribute to the so-called 'icon of Angel Island' laughed and cried, as they sat in a picnic grove under a semi-circle of tall Eucalyptus trees, recalling the vibrant life of a woman who seemed to embody the familiar phrase, "living life to the fullest."

"Indeed, we are all here because of nature, because of dogs, because of Silvia," said past Angel Island Executive Director, Surrey Blackburn

Her devotion to volunteerism was displayed through more than a dozen t-shirts, strung up side by side like flags and emblazoned with the logos and names of those organizations; Angel Island, Canine Companions for Independence, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin Humane Society, Mountain View Cemetery and Nicasio Historical Society. 

"Just to take one of her [walking] tours," continued Blackburn, "You would come away singing...she was just awesome!"

Lange was famed for her wildlife walks which combined her encyclopedic recall of plants and wildlife, with a dose of humor. One speaker recalled how Lange would sing special songs for specific plants like the hound's tongue plant which grows alongside Angel Island trails. Lange would burst out singing her own special version of the classic Elvis tune, "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog" but substituting her own verse with "hound's tongue" instead. 

Friends also spoke about her love of poetry, writing and artwork recalling times Lange had produced a special poem or piece of art for them. Several members of Lange's family were also present.

"I was the reason Silvia came to Alaska," said her nephew John Prodan recalling a time she interrupted college studies to help with his family. "And Silvia was the reason I came to Marin County."

Fortified with a lunch of barbecue chicken, potato salad and cookies, about two dozen attendees followed Angel Island Docent Casey Lee up the Sunset Trail.

The approximately mile-long meandering uphill walk, with fields of blue forget-me-nots, ferns, turkey-tail mushrooms, Indian Paintbrush and of course, hound's tongue, was one of Lange's favorite strolls. At the top of the trail, hikers followed the fire road with its breathtaking bay views to a hill-top knoll that descended slightly off the path. There perched on the side of the hill and over-looking the ocean, is a huge, very old California Live Oak, with twisted, serpentine branches covered in lichen.

It is Silvia's tree, the one that was her very favorite. The tree--like Silvia--seems to permeate everything that surrounds it. And like Silvia, it is awesome.

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There will be an annual walk on Angel Island to remember Silvia on the Sunday closest to the first day of Spring. Next year it will be on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Meet at the Angels Island bookstore at 10:15 a.m.

Click here for complete photo album of Sunday's ceremony.

Lange's body has not been found. She is still considered missing.

Comments

[Judy Coffield]

Sounds like she embraced life to the fullest and
left a true mark on the world she left behind.
Some people touch your lives forever and I believe she was one of them. A lot of lives
have been blessed by knowing this Earthly Angel and now Heavenly Angel. I work with her niece who is also an amazing woman.

Judy Coffield
South Dakota

[Jan Billinness]

My sister Linda was a hiking mate of Silvia and spoke highly of her. I felt her devastation when Silvia went missing and how traumatic it was for Wendy and all the fellow hikers. What a marvellous tribute you all afforded to a remarkable lady.
Vale Silvia, I hope it was a swift act of Nature because that would have been your wish.
Jan B
Perth
Western Australia