Sylvina "Syl" Mahar

Sylvina was born September 23, 1921 to Emeline (Gallant) DesRoches (Theriault Richard) and Edward DesRoches. She was the oldest of 7 children. As a child of the depression era, the family moved frequently when she was young. Sylvina graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford in the class of 1939. While in high school, Syl was a member of the National Honor Society and was head cheerleader.

On June 18, 1942, she married the love of her life, John Patrick Mahar, Jr. They made their home in Rumford, where they raised a family of five children.

Sylvina worked for the Oxford Paper Company during World War II, while John was serving in the Army in the Pacific Theater. She served the Rumford area as an Air Raid Warden during that time.

Sylvina worked for the Oxford Federal Credit Union, becoming manager in the mid 1960s.

She retired from the Credit Union in 1983.

Sylvina was a lifelong communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior, St Athanasius- St John’s Catholic Church.

She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.

John and Sylvina spent many memorable hours square and round dancing. They spent many happy days traveling throughout the country and to Bermuda dancing.

Her only disappointment in life was when she and John did not make it to Hawaii to square dance at a convention.

After John passed away in June, 1991, Sylvina discovered line dancing. She often said she lost the greatest partner anyone could have when John passed she never thought she would dance again, but she found joy in dancing with the ladies of the Methodist Church in Virginia.

Her joy in life was her family. She loved summers when everyone would gather at the pool. Syl lived in her swimsuit all summer, except for the hour she went to church on Sundays.

Sylvina stayed active until the hour she was taken to the hospital.

Sylvina is survived by her children Timothy E and wife Karla of Manchester TN, Thomas N and wife Roni of San Francisco CA, John P, III and wife Lorna of West Bethel ME, Elizabeth M and husband Raymond Doherty of Rumford and Joseph of Andover;

grandchildren Kaitrin T Mahar of Norfolk VA , John P Mahar, IV of West Bethel, Linda and husband Josh Yates of Greenwood, Amy Jane Mahar of Rumford and Adam Mahar of Andover; great grandson Lukas Yates; brothers Edward DesRoches and wife Rody of Fort Myers FL, and Paul Theriault and wife Judy of Wells ME; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Dodie Mahar of Rumford, brother-in-law Louis Mahar and wife Claudette of Somersworth NH, sister-in-law Elinora Mahar of Lady Lake FL and sister-in-law Nancy Theriault of Bryant Pond; and special friends/adoptive children Jerrold H Cohen, Michelle Belanger and Jeannine Law.

Sylvina was predeceased by her parents, her husband, John, her sisters Ella (DesRoches) Derrah and husband Jack Derrah and Pauline (Theriault) Gordon, brothers C. Victor DesRoches, and Adrian Theriault, brother-in-law James and wife Dorothy Marr, sister-in-law Bertha (Mahar) and husband Noah Tanguay, brother-in-law Nelson Mahar, sister-in-law Edna (Mahar) and husband Frank Gironda brother-in-law William Mahar and sister-in-law Marjorie Mahar.

The family is deeply grateful to the Rumford Community Hospital Emergency Room staff and the Central Maine Medical Center ICU staff for their expert care and their support of us as a family through Sylvina’s illness.

Please wear purple to the service; it was Syl’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Syl’s memory may be made to Maine Credit Union’s Campaign for Ending Hunger PO Box 1236 Portland, ME 04103.