Ines Silins
May 7, 1919 – March 29, 2026

Ines Spade Silins was born to Karlis and Elsa Spade in Moscow, Russia on May 7, 1919. She was delivered by a local veterinarian.

Prior to her birth, Ines' father was arrested in Russia by the revolutionaries as he was considered bourgeoisie, and her mother bribed authorities to release him. Although he was not permitted to leave Russia, Karlis departed that evening for his country of birth, Latvia. Ines, her mother, and brother went to Leningrad (St. Petersburg), and lived there for two years until her father received legal permission for his family to return to Latvia where they resumed an affluent life. Ines grew up in Riga and shared that these were some of the happiest and most carefree years of her life. She went to school, married Armand Peterson and had a daughter, Ivonna. They later divorced.

Ines, her mother and Ivonna escaped from Riga in 1944 to avoid deportation to Siberian labor camps due to the second Russian occupation. They went to Germany and stayed in refugee camps (also known as Displaced Person's Camps) and this is where they lived for over five years.

In 1950, they were approved for immigration to the United States and settled in Tacoma, Washington. Shortly after their arrival, Ines married Mintauts Silins whom she had met in the German camp. Mintauts was a widower with a daughter, Ilse. To this union, a third daughter, Sylvia, was born. They had a beautiful marriage until his passing in January 1996.

Ines was hired as a "domestic" by the Woodhams family of Tacoma soon after their arrival, however, that did not go well as she did not know how to clean house, cook, or perform other household tasks. The family decided to "keep" her anyway to help raise their five children. Ines maintained a relationship with the Woodhams' children, and until her passing, treasured Charlie Woodhams' monthly letters.

Ines continued her education at the University of Washington in 1960 to earn a Librarian Certificate and was subsequently hired at Annie Wright where she worked in the library for 23 years. Ines spoke five languages which helped her communicate with many of the international students at the school.

She lived independently in her home she moved in with her granddaughter, Evette, in 2010. She moved into the Weatherly Inn for the final four years of her life.

Ines was predeceased by her parents, brother (Juris), husbands, daughter Ilse, and Ilse's husband, Dennis Flannigan. She is survived by her daughters Ivonna (Rod) Anderson, and Sylvia (John) Sund; by her grandchildren Evette Mason (Mick Klass), Ken (Malia) McCabe, Erik (Grace Stevens) Flannigan, Ann Flannigan (Peter Rex), and Liesl (Stephen) Bistline; as well as by her great-grandchildren Lauren (Mike), Spencer, Benjamin, Alexis, Katell, Isabella and Dashiell. Her extended family lives throughout the United States and Europe.

The family recognizes and appreciates the amazing and professional staff at Weatherly Inn. The dining room staff knew her favorite foods and just how she liked her coffee. The caregivers and nurses were thoughtful, kind and attentive to her needs and wishes. Thank you!

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Gold Creek Condominium Clubhouse at 3016 N. Narrows Drive, Tacoma.

"Her life was extraordinarily long and full"  —    Erik Flannigan. Grandson