Sylvya Glass
July 17, 1922 - July 20, 2015
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Sylvya Glass
July 17, 1922 - July 20, 2015
Obituary
Sylvya Glass passed away on July 20 at the age of 93. She arrived in Bellingham in 1955 after husband Jerry Glass accepted a music teaching position at WWCE (now WWU). On July 17, 1922, she was born Sylvya Leon, to immigrant parents in the Bronx, New York. While attending New York University in 1941, she met her future husband Jerry, in a cello class. They soon fell in love and dated until they were separated by World War II. After the war, Sylvya and Jerry re-united and soon married. The couple enjoyed a loving and deeply devoted marriage until Jerry’s passing in 2003. She said she never stopped grieving the loss of her soul mate and life’s love but every day she celebrated the memory of “our beautiful life together”. Sylvya and Jerry were active members of the Beth Israel Congregation. Sylvya’s biggest passion was music. She collected many instruments and played many styles of music. Her quick wit and infectious sense of humor always kept us on our toes. Her vibrancy, joyfulness, love of family, willingness to help and serve others, passion for music, art and learning new things propelled her through a wide journey of experiences and drew to her an even wider circle of friends.
Loving family includes children Marsha (Paul Brionez), Steve (Sue Elvrum) and Judy (Michael Leslie, deceased); eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and many devoted friends.
She showed us what living a good life looks like. Her legacy of love infuses us all.
If you wish to memorialize Sylvya with a gift, please donate to the Congregation Beth Israel New Building Fund at the following website: http://bethisraelbellingham.org/index.php/giving/in-memory-in-honor-of and select the New Building Fund from the drop-down menu.
A memorial service will be held at Western Washington University at the Performing Arts Center, on Friday, July 24th, 2015, at 2:00 PM.
Parking will be available at lots 11G and 14G on High Street. Please enter “memorial” at the parking kiosk, for a discounted rate.
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 15, 7242 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: WWU
- Location: 516 High Street Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)
6 responses to Sylvya Glass
Teresa Dowling says:
July 20, 2015
Our heartfelt condolences. She was a remarkable lady. So many get – togethers to remember. We will miss her dearly. Teresa and Pat
Lacey says:
July 20, 2015
So sorry to hear of the loss of such an amazing lady. I will never forget bowling with such a funny vibrant lady. Condolences to her family.
Sara Geballe says:
July 20, 2015
I feel so privileged to have gotten to known Sylvya and to have had the chance to sit with her one-on-one and listen to her tell me her life story over the course of a number of interview sessions in her kitchen several years ago. Sylvya led a wonderful life, which she knew and appreciated. She often told me how blessed she was to have shared her life with such a loving and devoted husband as Jerry, to have raised three terrific children with him, and to have lived long enough to have gotten to know not only her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but even her great-great-grandchildren! How many of us ever get that?I have such fond memories of bowling with Sylvya as part of the Beth Israel bowling league. It was one at Park Bowl on Tuesday night that my husband, Steve, learned that Sylvya — like me — had been born and raised in the Bronx. It turned out we even both attended Theodore Roosevelt High School (30 years apart)! I always felt a special connection to Sylvya. She was the perfect role model on how to stay positive, upbeat, and perky while aging. It was hard to believe the day would ever come when she would leave us.
Sylvya, you are one amazing woman, and you will be deeply missed by so many. Thank you for being in my life! With love, Sara
Lana Haddox says:
July 20, 2015
How can I properly say farewell to such a lovely woman?
I was fortunate to be included in the group of ladies who played mah jongg with Sylvya. She was so fun to play with and she was the best hostess ever.
I loved to get to her house early for a game and be able to listen to Sylvya and Barb play music. They both played at Barb’s house before we started playing our mah jongg games.
So glad I made it to her 80th birthday celebration. Sylvya and several band members played some frolicking music and we all had a great time.
I’m sure Sylvya will brighten up the heavens with her sense of humor, sweetness, and musicality.
Lana Haddox
Kris Halterman says:
July 20, 2015
So sorry for the loss of such a fun, vibrant, woman, such as Sylvia. Sylvia bowled on our league for a number of years and shared many fun, and funny moments with us. She amazed us all with her active lifestyle. Sylvia will be missed, but not forgotten.
Thank you for sharing her with us.
Kris and Steve Halterman
and Everyone at Park Bowl :)