I am so sorry to hear about Sylvia’s passing. She was a very nice and funny lady. I missed seeing her in the studios in recent years because she always brightened my day.

I extend my deepest condolence to Donna, Richard , Janice and your families at the passing of your Mom, Grandma and Great-grandma. My friend Sylvia and I enjoyed many happy hours socializing, shopping, going to the movies and eating out especially when we lived in the same building. Lately our socializing was mainly through long telephone calls. I will remember her fondly and she will be missed. Sincerely, Eleanor Ulich

Sylvia was my very, very dear friend. Our friendship began in a museum studio painting class and grew into a delightful enjoyment of shared values, stories about our respective families, changing times and mores, good food (especially her much-loved baklava), and so many other things. I hated when Covid caused us to curtail visits and lunches for very long periods, but we enjoyed delightful phone conversations. I was a former English professor and had taught many writing classes. What a pleasure it always was to receive one of her beautifully written notes or even emails. She used perfect grammar and charming phrasing, both lost skills. Her sense of humor was special. She could send our entire painting group into howls of laughter. She was the personification of elegance, femininity, kindness, and generosity. Of course, she was a very talented artist who encouraged me to try new things. She gifted me with a set of pastels, which I had never tried, and I discovered my favorite artistic medium. Whenever I do a new pastel, I will feel Sylvia’s gentle presence. I loved her and am so grateful for this late-in-life very cherished friendship. I’m truly missing you, dear lady.

Randy and Donna Turcotte

My aunt was the sweetest aunt a person could ever have. I loved her. I loved her so very much. I loved her from the bottom of my heart. I am 73 years old now, but as a young boy, she would always give me a hug and say I was her boy. She always gave me butterfly kisses, and I have never forgotten that in my whole life. I had not seen her for many years, but I was so glad I went to visit her last November. We got to reminisce about all those things. My wife, Donna, and I had a wonderful lunch out with her and my cousin Donna. We spent time at her place viewing her artwork and talking for hours. I am so happy that I got to spend that time with her before she passed. I am so sad that we did not get to visit again like we planned on. She was such a special person.

Although, Aunt Sylvia and I had never met before last November, we had many phone calls over the years. Whenever, Randy called her or she called us, she would speak to him for a while and then say, “Put Donna on.” Sometimes we both spoke to her on speaker phone. I know what Randy means. She was the sweetest person. She would tell me she loved me. I kept wishing I had met her. Finally, in November we met, and she was everything I expected. She was a vibrant, sharp, intelligent, funny, loving, and kind person.
I was so happy to meet her and Donna, who met us for lunch. When Aunt Sylvia, Randy, and I were at her place, I was amazed at her talent. I took pictures of all of her artwork throughout the house to show my daughter who is an artist too. Aunt Sylvia asked me to bring Randy’s Aunt Dotty’s Fashion Design drawings. She remembered them and wanted to see them again. We spend hours looking through them and I will never forget the joy and excitement she expressed. She was so happy. I wish we could make her happy with another visit. I am sad that we can’t see her again, but ecstatic that I had that chance to meet that amazing woman.

Sylvia was a shining light of good spirits, grace, and kindness. I shared art classes with her for many years, and she was a true pleasure to be around and a truly joyful additon to our group. Though I moved away from Vero Beach in 2017 I think fondly of her often. I came across her name and phone number in some old class notes and discovered her passing online. I wish I could hug her again right now.