Sylvia Florence Fennessy

A survivor of the WWII London Blitz/Buzz Bombs, she often sought shelter in the underground train tubes (subway) and crypts of churches, and ultimately was evacuated out of the city to the countryside. In 1952, she met her loving husband, Charles Fennessy on a blind date in Newmarket, England; they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on October 24, 2013. For 21 years she accompanied her husband in the Air Force supporting him in his career, raising three children, and being a very active part of various youth/sports groups, organizations and the wives’ clubs. She also completed over 22 years of civil service, with the majority of that in the Fuels Branch at Castle AFB, eventually retiring in the base legal office when Castle closed in 1995. Throughout her life Sylvia was a true warrior battling a myriad of health issues. She will be dearly missed and was loved by all. She was an amazing wife, mother and friend.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Frederick Beattie; her brother, Derek Beattie; and sisters, Joan Watts, Doris Schmidt, and Elsie Willoughby.

She leaves behind her husband, Charles (SMSgt, USAF-Ret); children, Elaine Craig, Karen and her husband Michael Hausmann, Michael (Col, USAF-Ret) and his wife Teresa Fennessy (Lt Col, USAF Reserve-Ret); grandchildren, Patricia Hausmann and her husband Nathan Cabral, Shane Hausmann and his wife Brittany, Kelley and Grant Fennessy, and Aaron Craig; great-grandchildren, Madison Cabral, Aubree Hausmann and Jaydon Craig.

Services will be on Monday, August 19, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Mission, 2889 N. Buhach Rd., Atwater, CA 95301 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am. Internment will follow services at 12:30pm at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Atwater Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA 95301 at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Castle Air Museum Foundation or a charity of your choice.