Ana Sylvia Toro Hernandez

Sylvia was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the daughter of the late Angel Toro Gutierrez and the late Fausta Hernandez Cruz. She was also preceded in death by four brothers: Osvaldo, Jose, Fernando, and Luciano Toro Hernandez.

She was born at home on September 30th, 1935, in a simple house with dirt floors but much love. She attended the Ramon Marin Elementary School a few blocks away from her Cuatro Calles home and then graduated from Ponce High School.

Sylvia was a proud graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ponce where she obtained a degree in education. She then spent the next 38 years as an elementary school teacher, most of them at the Escuela Ruiz Belvis in the Playa de Ponce. Sylvia devoted her life to make sure that where a child was born didn’t determine whether they could succeed in life.

Aside from her vocation for education, Sylvia was also a leader. She was an activist for the Partido Popular Democratico and eventually was elected City Councilwoman in Ponce. It was in that role that she met her husband, Hernan Fourquet Rivera, who was serving as City Council Chairman at the time. Their courtship was fast. They got engaged on their first date and married two months later on Christmas Day 1964. Hernan preceded Sylvia in death in 1998 after a 33-year union.

Sylvia’s only son, Jose Angel Fourquet Toro, was born two years later in 1966 and gave Sylvia a new purpose in life. Hernan and Sylvia sacrificed much to enroll Jose in Colegio Ponceño for kindergarten. He remained there and excelled until graduating from high school in 1984. Against all odds, Jose graduated from Georgetown University thanks to Sylvia’s drive and unwavering support. Any close friend would tell you how Sylvia was not shy about sharing Jose’s success stories with anybody who would listen (whether they wanted to or not).

Sylvia loved the Lord and was known for living the gospel by her acts of charity. No cause was too small for her to roll up her sleeves and raise funds to help individuals less fortunate than her. She will also be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor. Sylvia was a light that lit up whatever room she entered.

Left to cherish Sylvia’s many memories are her son Jose and his wife, Karen Meinhart Fourquet; a brother: Hector Toro Hernandez; a sister: Jennie Toro Hernandez; and three grandchildren who were the culmination of Sylvia’s work on earth: Gabriela, Daniel and Benji Fourquet.

Sylvia’s visitation will take place at Funeraria J. Oliver in Ponce on Sunday February 15, 2026 starting at 12:00p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in the funeral home’s Chapel that afternoon at 3p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Salvation Army Cuerpo de Ponce at 1381 Calle Verdun, PO Box 10120, Ponce, PR 00717. The family would like to thank the staff at Angels Senior Living in Tampa for their loving care of Sylvia in her last few years.