Anne Silver, 54, died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, in Santa Monica. She was born Feb. 20, 1951 in Detroit, Mich.

Ms. Silver earned a master’s degree in poetry from a university in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in 1972 and a master’s degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles in 1982.

An internationally recognized author, a political and environmental activist, and co-host of the Moonday poetry series at Village Books in Pacific Palisades, her profession was to provide expert witness testimony on matters of handwriting analysis. An expert in about 700 court cases — from the Supreme Court of British Columbia to Southern California — she selected both juries for attorney Mark Geragos in People vs. McDougal and for other attorneys as well.

She was a popular instructor for fraud investigators. She authenticated Jack Ruby’s handwriting for George Paige and Associates for “The Kennedy Assasinations.”

Since 1993, she had conducted ongoing research on Shakespeare’s writing.

Ms. Silver’s publication credits include The Atlanta Review, English Journal, Nimrod, Red Wheelbarrow, Minnesota Review and MacGuffin.

“Bare Root: A Poet’s Journey with Breast Cancer” was her first book of poetry.

Featured on numerous television and radio programs, Ms. Silver was often requested as a reader, workshop leader and guest speaker.

Ms. Silver owned a house in Idyllwild for many years, was involved in a poetry group in Idyllwild, was a guest lecturer at Idyllwild Arts and was an avid hiker.

“I think it is all pulleys and clangs at the end.
“And then there is a sensation of the entire body being kissed.”
– Anne Silver

A celebration of her life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 in the library room at Café Aroma.