Ida Silvia Mapes, 81, formerly of North Adams, died July 8, 2009 at Kindred Hospital, Philadelphia - Havertown, Pennsylvania.

Born on August 26, 1927, Silvia was a native of Switzerland and was the daughter of the late Fridolin and Ida (Vogel) Jenny. She was a graduate of the Friedman School of Fashion Design in Zurich and was employed as a fashion designer and director in Bern and Zurich. She became a U.S. citizen in 1957. As a resident of North Adams, Silvia was an active member of the community. She was honored as the recipient of the 1975 Human Relations Award from the Northern Berkshire Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Silvia served as chairman of the North Adams Red Cross Blood Program, vice president of the North Adams League of Women Voters, and as a member of the North Adams Planning Board and Industrial Development Commission. She also served on the boards of directors of the North Adams Visiting Nurses Association, Northern Berkshire United Community Services, Northern Berkshire Community Action, and the Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Silvia moved back to Switzerland in the early 1980's and became a foreign language instructor in Ithaca, NY after returning to the U.S. More recently, she was a resident of Easton, Pennsylvania.

Survivors: Daughters, Joan K. Mapes, of Lafayette, New York and Dr. Carol C. Mapes and her husband Roland G. Hilger, of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania; brother, Fridolin Jenny and sister, Helen Freuler - Jenny, both of Switzerland; grandchildren, Christopher Scott and Jennifer Scott; step-grandchildren, Cassandra Hilger and Corinna Tomline.

Services: Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. No calling hours. The Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4096 Route 309, Schnecksville, PA is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent c/o the funeral home or online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmanfh.com .

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box # 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.