So sad to learn of Sylvia's passing.  She shared a birthday with my own son and she often called ME first on their birthday, beating me to the punch.  She was always interested in hearing about my grandchildren and loved receiving pictures of them.  I will miss our chats.

Dear Mae, I miss speaking to you at 8 am and 5 pm everyday no matter where in the world (Paul ) and I were in the world. You inspired me with my real estate career by always asking me what I sold or how many listings I had and would sing to me "We're in the money" which would make my laugh. You were always an inspiration to me by your strength and dignity. It's uncanny to me the resemblance that you Stefani and Paul will always have in common. I miss the smell of your Estee Lauder Youth Dew bath oil, I am sure you have enough for the next year. I know when Paul was murdered it ripped a part of all of us that we could never recover from, especially you to have lost a husband and your son. I hope if by chance you do see my beloved Paul tell him thank you for the best 19.5 years if my life and thank him for giving me Stefani. I am not sure what happens once we die, but the ones that are most affected are the ones that are still here. I hope by chance you will be re-united with Sy and Paul and my amazing Grandmother Shirley who you so dearly loved. You will remain in my heart forever and I will always be grateful for the memories and holidays we shared. 
I love you with all my heart and hope you are in a place of peace. 
With all my love,
Audree

My recollections of Sylvia go back to around 1980 when I started my conference interpreting career.  At that time only she and Gerry Curtis worked in Portuguese in South Florida and Gerry invited me to share a booth with him when Sylvia was unavailable for a two-week job.  After that I would do two or three conferences a year, with either Gerry or Sylvia.  I recall working with her for Beatrice Foods and on a lactation conference at the University of Miami, among our early gigs, then there were rental cars and diesel motors.... She could do it all. 
Sylvia was a joy to work with.  Extraordinarily helpful and respectful toward me, the newcomer, she would encourage me to start out the day and would turn over all of the video interpreting to me, saying she couldn't keep up, something I very much doubt, but I felt honored to be held in such high esteem by her.  She would sometimes bring her husband Sy along to a conference, and he would entertain himself around the venue and then they would spend breaks together.  
Through the years as both the work and the number of interpreters increased greatly, I still cherished the opportunity to work with Sylvia.  After Sula and I got together in 1995 she became a personal mentor for our relationship and a close friend.  She was alone by then and she and Sula, also recently widowed, found great understanding in each other's company.  And Sylvia could “vouch” for me after our fifteen years of association and kind of cheered us on.  
I was saddened to see Sylvia's physical decline in later years and I missed working with her.  Our occasional visits to her home, shared restaurant meals on birthdays, and finally, visiting her at the Palace, always cheered me up.  She always had a smile and never complained about how she felt, and would only tell us if we prodded her.
Sylvia is greatly missed, but we understand that she is literally in a better place at the side of her beloved Sy and elder son Paul, who preceded her in passing.  We love you Sylvia and look forward to seeing you again.  
John Jensen

Dearest Sylvia, minha fofurinha,

Although ours was a brief encounter, nonetheless, you found a way to teach me one of the most important lessons of my life, we both know what that is, and I am forever grateful for your bringing me such insight.

Thank you for your beautiful smile and joyous heart.

All my love,
Carolina Paraventi

Sylvia was the epitome of elegance and grace. She was a wonderful friend to my mother. We are both thankful to have known her and deeply saddened by her passing. My thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow. May your memories bring you comfort.

Sylvia was a 'shining light'! She enriched my day and I enjoyed various discussions with her. It was my pleasure to have had the privilege of knowing her. I will miss her. Danny and Irma, I hope you have no more sorrow!

Sylvia:
Words cannot express my sadness when I learned that you passed away.  I have known you and your family since the early 1980's when I started working with you at Dow Chemical.  From the inception, we became good friends and regularly had joint family events, which I and my parents enjoyed. I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to my wife, Renee.  You have certainly touched our lives in so many immeasurable ways.  You will be missed and always be in our hearts and prayers.

I am saddened to learn of Sylvia's passing. She was a well respected and beloved colleague. Her poise and style always made an impression as did her commitment to the profession she embraced later in life. You will be missed.

Beauty, Class, Compassion, Humor; all possessed by you and the way I shall always remember you, my friend.
David Michael Vaughn

I will miss you but will keep in mind the many good memories I have of you.

I met Sylvia when I began to work as an interpreter and she was a wonderful mentor, patient, supportive, and an excellent interpreter. Our relationship quickly became a wonderful friendship, which I treasured over the years. She will be greatly missed.

My comfort comes from the knowledge tha LIFE GOES ON on the other side of the veil... This is nothing but a brief journey considering the fact that we are all eternal spirits.  I am glad YOU SUFFER NO LONGER, my dear Sylvia!!! The 3-1/2-hour visit I had with you the day before your departure from this Earth was VERY important for MY preparation...  We did girly things, such as nails, hair, different scented cream massages, and rosewater splashes... But during it all, we also sang together, talked, and strengthened our IMMENSE friendship, love, and spiritual bonds.  I did not know then that I was getting you ready to meet yor beloved Sy in style! :-)  But I do know that I will ALWAYS remember the many kisses I gave you when I left and the words you said looking straight and deep into my eyes: "I love you, Sulinha do meu coração!" (as you used to call me tenderly...)  I am sure you are happy with Sy and Paul by your side now.  We will keep an eye on Danny and Stephanie for you until we all meet again.  I LOVE YOU FOREVER, "MINHA FLOR"!!! (as I tenderly called you...) You were one of my "M"s in America... "M" as in MOM for the great mother figure you were to me here.  They say that only those whom we LOVE wholeheartedly we will be able to see when we cross and I KNOW I WILL SEE YOU when my time comes, Sylvia... Until then, my friend! Sula.

There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone quite like you, my dear Sylvia. You brought so many gifts to my life and have been such a dear friend for many years. I will never forget you.
With you, Danny, I share comfort in knowing Sylvia is no longer suffering. In the days ahead, hold on to the loving memories of your beautiful Mom.
Rita McGrath, Decatur, GA

We will miss you so much. Be well and enjoy Paul again. You are very dear to us.
Ana Regina Firmignac

I have known Sylvia since probably the late 70s or early 80s when she started to work for our company as a freelancer doing first translation work and then interpreting work.  I personally traveled and worked with her around the world and got to know and appreciate this wonderful human being.  I know she is enjoying a well earned rest after the long and active life that she led for many years and trust she will help each of us in our own sojourn through this life.

Maria Cristina de la Vega

Dear Sylvia:  I will miss you, and please be kind enough to hug and kiss my dearest friend Paul when you see him. Everytime thanksgiving and the high jewish holidays come around, i always remember the wonderful feasts at Paul's home.  I miss those times and fondly remember them.  Keep eachother company until I see you both once again.  I Love You Both...Greg,

Sylvia, we will always miss your smiling face and wonderful humor at our family gatherings.  You set an example for us all with your dignity and strength.  We hope you rest in peace with your beloved husband, Sy, and our wonderful son, Paul.  We love you.  Maureen and Donnie

OBITUARY

Sylvia L Barrow

28 December, 1935 – 20 November, 2012

Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo/Kendall Memorial Gardens

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