Phyllis E. Sylvester

Phyllis E. Sylvester passed away at the age of 90, on Sunday, January 17th in Granville, Ohio.

Born Phyllis Elaine Bear, on Christmas Eve in 1919, Phyllis was raised on a grain farm in Monticello, Illinois. After losing their father when they were very young, she and her sister Margaret, also of Granville,were cared for by their mother Bonnie, and Bonnie's brother Corwin. Phyllis learned to drive on a tractor when she was ten. She was proud of the fact that she could plow a row of corn and make the turn to the next row without slowing down!

Phyllis excelled in mathematics and earned a degree in Home Economics, with a minor in Chemistry, from Millikin University, where she met her husband, Robert Sylvester. Her favorite thing to do was dancing and she was known as the best dancer on campus. She supported her husband through medical school in St. Louis, by working as a stewardess on the B & O Railroad, and later by working in a chemistry lab. Her husband became a pediatrician, practicing in Boston, Columbus, and all of Licking County. An expert in fielding phone calls from parents (day and night), she did the bookwork and substituted as a receptionist in her husband's office. Before her marriage and after her children went to college she also taught home economics and science. Her interest in nutrition helped cause the Granville schools to begin paying more attention to healthy eating at school. The years raising her "four beautiful children," Phyllis called the best time in her life.

After retirement she and Robert lived for many years on Sanibel Island in Florida where they even reunited with some old college friends. Phyllis was an excellent cook, a voracious reader, and also enjoyed boating and sewing, as well as the companionship of her dogs. She and Robert were long time members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Granville.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Robert, and is survived by her sister Margaret Eakin, sons, John (FL)and Philip (Joan) (OR), daughters, Jane (CA), and Amy Wells (Ken) (OH), and grandchildren, Nate, Rachel, and Eoin, nephews and niece, Lloyd, Scott, and Marla.

Phyllis was a dear friend to many and was known for her generosity of spirit, mischievous nature and sharp wit. She will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Phyllis's life at 10:30 am Friday January 22nd at Kendal of Granville, 2158 Columbus Road, in the Heller Room. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Phyllis's memory may be made to Haitian Relief through St. Lukes,107 E. Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023, Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43055 or The Humane Society.