Anna F. Sylvester, 98, a lifelong City of Newburgh resident entered into rest peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
Anna was the daughter of John and Catherine (Corrado) Ciarlante. She was a meticulous homemaker and a retired employee of the Newburgh School District. Anna was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church and was an active member of the City of Newburgh’s Club 60 for many years.
Anna graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1939 and shared with all of her family how difficult times were growing up through the depression. She remembered fondly her first job with Harmony Bag and could tell us exactly how much she made each week, and recalls the large raise she received when President Roosevelt was elected. She married Thomas Sylvester upon his return from WWII in 1947 and began her family. She was an active parent at Sacred Heart School and a Girl Scout Leader. She was widowed in 1966 and found work with the Newburgh School District, initially at South Junior High and then at Newburgh Free Academy. She maintained the ladies rooms as a matron until her retirement in 1990. She took great pride in her position and established many friendships while at NFA. Anna was the local Avon Lady as well, always sharing her catalogs and filling orders. She enjoyed dances, playing cards and bingo, Club 60 functions and traveling. She never had a driver’s license and walked everywhere; insisting walking was the key to her longevity.
Anna was a devoted daughter that cared for her mother for many years, a loyal spouse and companion, a wonderful mother to her three children, Mary Ann, Thomas and James and a loving aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an example to all of us of faith, strength, independence and courage. She exemplified the term “the Greatest Generation” by never letting the losses she experienced define or limit her.
Anna is survived by her sons Thomas Sylvester and his wife Sue, James Sylvester and his partner Gwen, her son-in-law John Prokosch, and former daughter-in-law Raquel Sylvester. Her grandchildren Dr. Gina Cook & husband Kevin, Joanna Zucker & husband Arnie, Matthew Prokosch & wife Stephanie, Andrew, Daniel, Sabrina & Sophia Sylvester. Her great-grandchildren Emily, Katie, Jake & John Cook, Benjamin, Claire & Sarah Zucker.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Thomas, her longtime companion Sam Cubito, her brother
John Ciarlante and his wife Georgia, and her cherished daughter Mary Ann Prokosch.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Services were held Monday, September 28, at Brooks Funeral Home, with burial following in Calvary Cemetery.