Sylvia Shew Seaver

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia Shew Seaver, who departed this life peacefully on October 21, 2025, at the age of 80. Born on September 11, 1945, to Carl and Ruby Shew, Sylvia lived a life defined by compassion, intellect, and timeless grace.

A lifelong educator, Sylvia was proud to serve as a Professor Emeritus at Tunxis Community College, where she devoted her career to advancing Allied Health Education and inspiring generations of students. She was a tireless advocate for child abuse detection and prevention with the allied health community, working closely with the CT PANDA Coalition to educate dental professionals across the state. She worked to secure countless grants and funding that ensured the coalition’s long-term sustainability and spoke at conferences all over the country to further awareness and empower clinicians to protect their smallest patients.

Sylvia was passionate about helping women, children, and especially young people pursuing higher education. A proud member of the Bristol Quota Club, she delighted in raising scholarship funds, walking the runway at their annual fashion show fundraisers, and opening her elegant Federal Hill Victorian home for the club’s beloved “House on the Hill” holiday tours.

Sylvia was the ultimate lady – an enduring example of class, elegance, and poise. Always dressed to the nines, she was admired for her warmth, sophistication, and thoughtful nature. She loved her many four-legged fur-babies, reading, gardening, and summers at Cape Cod, where she found joy in the simple beauty of life. She took great pride in the gardening and beautification awards bestowed upon her homes, each one a reflection of her artistry and care. Her young grandchildren would play and hide in those same whimsical gardens and tried to find and count all the decorative rabbits with her. Even as adults, there were still too many to count. Lovingly known to them as, “Lady”, she made their birthdays and Christmases truly magical – and began many traditions that her family have continued to this day with love and pride.

She was predeceased by her beloved son, Shane Seaver, her parents, her parents in law, and her brothers Richard Shew, Freddie Shew, Jack McNichols, Ron McNichols.

Sylvia shared a remarkable bond with her husband, Elden “Pete” St. Jean, her devoted partner and dearest friend. She also leaves behind her beloved Molly and her loving daughter, Shannon Zavecz; eight cherished grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Sylvia Milne, brothers-in-law Rodney St. Jean, Mark St. Jean, several lifelong friends and countless students that she loved along the years.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 4pm until 6pm at Benjamin J. Callahan Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford. A Funeral Service will be held the following day, Monday November 3, 2025 at 10am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Please visit www.callahanfuneral.com for tributes and more information.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia’s memory to Tunxis Foundation In Memory of Sylvia Seaver, 271 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington, CT 06032.