Marjorie Bernadette Sylvia

With heavy hearts, the family of Marjorie B. Sylvia announces the death of their beloved aunt on February 20, 2025, at the age of 82. Margie was born in Brunswick, Georgia on January 19,1943, and was a lifelong resident of Glynn County. She was also a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edward Benjamin Sylvia and Catherine Ribron Sylvia and all her older siblings, John Edward (Bud) Sylvia, Mary Sylvia Gordon, twin brothers Albert William (Billy) Sylvia and Joseph Robert (Bobby) Sylvia.

Aunt Margie was the favorite aunt to six nieces and four nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.

She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Purvis School, Glynn County Jr. High and graduated from Glynn Academy High School in 1961. After graduation, she worked at the local hospital for four years. In 1965, she entered the St. Joseph of Carondelet with the intention to become a nun.

Margie left the convent in 1969 to begin her long career in education. She earned her bachelor's, master’s and education specialist degrees in education from Georgia Southern College.

Her first teaching assignment was teaching 1st grade at St. Francis Xavier School. In 1972, she began her career with Glynn County Schools teaching 5th Grade at St. Simons Elementary before teaching Science at Glynn Middle School for the next four years. In June of 1980, she was named the assistant principal at Jane Macon Middle School before becoming the principal there in 1983. While at Jane Macon Middle School, she was known as “Large Marge in Charge” by her faculty, a title that she adored. In 1988, she was named the science, social studies and health coordinator for Glynn County. She served in this capacity for six years before returning to Glynn Middle School as assistant principal and then principal. She retired from the Glynn County School System in 2001.

Margie was an excellent teacher and administrator and received numerous awards during her time in education. In 1975 she was named Glynn Middle School Teacher of the Year and in 1978 was selected as the First District Science Teacher of the Year. During her years as principal, she was selected as the First District Principal of the Year in 1986. She collaborated in the development of a program for In-school Suspension Program that focused on helping students change their behavior. She was proud that this model was implemented in schools across the state.

After her retirement, she devoted her time to spoiling her family and pursuing many hobbies. She was always an artist and after retirement took classes and painted and crafted using a variety of mediums. Margie loved people and was a member of the Foxy Fedora Red Hats. She continued to visit and attend reunions with the nuns that she met in St. Louis. Among her other interests were Tai Chi, gardening and bird watching.

Margie Sylvia was passionate about her family, including her dogs, her art and education. She took care of her family and helped anyone who asked her. Our family will miss her love, humor and generosity. She loved to laugh, and fun followed her wherever she went.

The family would like to thank the following who helped care for her in her last years: FirstLight Homecare of Brunswick, Homelife on Glynco, and Hospice of the Golden Isles. She received excellent care from all of those who took care of her. A special thank you to Loretta Paulk her caregiver from FirstLight and Laura Caldwell, a Hospice Volunteer who brought the joy of art back into her life during her final months. Although she was at Hospice for such a short time, the family cannot thank the nurses enough for their care and compassion in her final days.

A funeral Mass in her honor will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Francis Xavier Church. Visitation will be held at St. Francis beginning at 10:00 am. Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her name to the Hospice of the Golden Isles, the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia or St. Francis Xavier School.