Sylvia Hammer

Sylvia G. Hammer of Boston passed away peacefully at her home on January 23, 2026, at age 90. She was surrounded by love, with her devoted daughter Beth by her side. Sylvia was predeceased by her husband, Roy A. Hammer (2016), to whom she was happily married for 60 years. Sylvia is survived by her daughters, Julie and Beth, and her grandchildren, Matthew, Jennifer, Benjamin, and Jack.

Sylvia did her undergraduate work at Barnard College and took full advantage of the cultural and artistic life of New York City, from its museums, galleries, concert halls and - a personal favorite of both Roy’s and Sylvia’s - the Apollo Theater. For all who knew them, the marriage of Sylvia and Roy Hammer was an exemplar of selfless love and devotion. Their commitment extended to their children and grandchildren, as family meant everything to the couple.

Throughout her life, Sylvia was known for her grace, dignity, kindness, and generosity. She had an instinctive desire to help others and did so without seeking recognition. She was a volunteer and philanthropist, dedicated to improving the lives of others. Sylvia was fully committed to her work throughout her life; from working as an assistant to Erwin Griswold, Dean of the Harvard Law School, to World Boston, an organization devoted to fostering global connections. Even after her retirement, Sylvia remained closely connected to her World Boston colleagues.

An avid lover of art and classical music, Sylvia was a dedicated supporter of both. After receiving a piano at age four from her grandfather, Sylvia spent the next 80 years immersing herself in music and shaping her craft. Her passion for the piano was contagious, and for forty years she shared that joy alongside her longtime piano partner, Julie G., as the two encouraged and inspired one another. Beyond music, she nurtured a special interest in Asian art, deepening her knowledge through studies at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Above all, Sylvia was a warm and loving family member. She loved her husband, her children, and her four grandchildren; she took genuine interest in their lives and expressed her love for them unconditionally. Her kindness, warmth, and steady presence were constants to those fortunate enough to know her.

Sylvia’s family extends our heartfelt thanks to the compassionate nurses who cared for her in her home.

A remembrance ceremony will be held this spring. Details will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to New England Center and Home for Veterans (https://nechv.org/), where Sylvia had devoted herself to volunteer work.