Sylvia Katzmann

Beloved wife of John for more than 68 years, who predeceased her. Devoted mother of Robert (Jennifer), Gary, Martin (Stacey) and Susan (Neil). She was predeceased by Robert. Loving grandmother to James Horner (Rosie), Nicole Horner, Spencer Katzmann, Samantha Katzmann, Jessica Katzmann and Jeremy Katzmann. Loving sister to Lawrence Butner (who predeceased her).

She was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1929 to two immigrant parents from Russia. Her father Isidore, who had served in the United States Army in France during World War I, worked as a tailor. Her mother Dora worked in a pocketbook factory for much of her adult life.

Attending public schools, Sylvia was an excellent student and athlete, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, while always working after school to supplement the family income. She took courses at Brooklyn College at night.

While working in an administrative role at Freed Transformer Company, she met John, a refugee from Nazi Germany, graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School in New York, recent US Army veteran, who was obtaining his degree from New York University in Electrical Engineering at night on the GI Bill. In June 1950, they were married. Theirs was an extraordinary, loving partnership, and together, they created a wonderful family. She was a full-time mom, who cherished her family and gave each of her children the sense that everything and anything were possible for them, and that kindness, humility, and principle should be their guide. She was an amazing, strong advocate for each of her children and wanted them to have the opportunities that were not available to her growing up. She never asked for anything for herself. Truly modest, she would always deflect any praise that was bestowed on her. She had a winning smile, and was gentle, kind, and humble, with an artistic sensibility and unique power of recall. She was imbued with extraordinary judgment and perspective and we were all the beneficiaries of those qualities. Indeed, her generosity of spirit and her gift of genuine caring, informed by the highest character and humanity, extended to all she encountered. She was truly beloved and led an exemplary life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia’s name to the American Cancer Society or the Immigrant Justice Corps.