Yvonne Elizabeth (Berube) Sylvia died in her home on Sept. 7 at the age of 95.
Yvonne was a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as an active member of the community. Her loss is felt by all who knew her.
She was born in Edgartown on June 22, 1923. She spent her childhood in Edgartown, graduating from the Edgartown High School as valedictorian. During high school, she won the Edward P. Worth Scholarship, the DAR Good Citizen Award and the SAR Award for Excellence in History. She attended Faye Secretarial School in Boston. In 1943, she married Albert K. Sylvia Jr. The couple lived and worked in Boston during World War II, where Albert was stationed with the Coast Guard. After the war, they returned to Edgartown, where they both lived out the remainder of their lives.
For many years, Yvonne helped her husband run his electrical contracting business. She also worked for 18 years as personal secretary for Emily Post, serving Ms. Post until her death in 1960. She worked part time for many years as a sales associate for Fligor’s of Edgartown. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed traveling with their friends.
Yvonne was an active member of her community. She served as secretary for the Edgartown Mother’s Club, treasurer of the Martha’s Vineyard Post Legion Auxiliary Post 186, trustee of the Edgartown Library, member of the Edgartown Sign Committee, secretary of the Edgartown Advisory Board, president of the Friends of Edgartown Library, chairman of the Annual Antiques Show, president of the Martha’s Antique Club, and trustee of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.
As a faithful member of Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, she served as Eucharist minister, charter member of the Saint Elizabeth Guild and catechism teacher for many years. She received the Marian Medal from the diocese of Fall River for dedicated service to the church.
Yvonne is survived by four of her children: Hanola Burnham of Maine, Kelsey Sylvia and spouse Deborah of Vineyard Haven, Brian Sylvia and partner Joanne of Edgartown and Elizabeth Mello of Vineyard Haven. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren: Eric Steigelman, Christopher Steigelman, Kimberly Miller, Andrew Sylvia, Garrett Sylvia, Leigh Sylvia, Ariel Thomas, Craig Sylvia, Jacob Sylvia, Jeffery Sylvia, Adam Mello, Ryan Mello, Jason Mello and Angela Mello. Seventeen great-grandchildren survive her as well: Tyler Steigelman, Bryan Steigelman, Gage Steigelman, Kara Steigelman, Brandon Steigelman, Noah Miller, Ian Miller, Chloe Miller, Audrey Miller, Jianna Miller, Joel Miller, Gabriel Miller, Nathan Miller, Benjamin Sylvia, Tysean Thomas, Dreydon Thomas and Parker Sylvia, as well as great-great-grandson Nicholas Steigelman. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Napoleon and Elizabeth (Averill) Berube, her husband of 58 years Albert K. Sylvia, brothers Donald, Edmund, and Rodney Berube, her son Edmund Sylvia, and her great-granddaughter Olivia Miller.
Yvonne was a kind and generous friend, a faithful wife and a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved her family, her country, her Island and her home. She will be greatly missed.
Visiting hours will be held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Elizabeth’s Church in Edgartown on Friday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the Old Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or Hospice of M.V., P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
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