Milagros Sylvester

Milagros (Millie) Sylvester passed away peacefully on August 19th, 2026 in Lakeway, TX. Millie was predeceased in 2021 by her beloved husband David (Dave).

Millie was born on July 5th, 1928 to Concepcion and Nicanor Zabala. Though the family made their home in Lekeitio, Spain, Nicanor, a merchant ship’s captain, relocated the family to the Spanish colony of Palawan, Philippines where Millie, the youngest of their five children was born.

During the 2nd World War Millie married American airman Hector “Tony” Olmeda, stationed at that time in Palawan. A year after their wedding they were blessed with their daughter Rosalie. A year after that event Tony was transferred back to the US and thus began the cumbersome process of relocating Millie (and Rosalie) to the US as a “war bride”. Traveling by military transport ship with Rosalie in her arms was a frightening experience, but after a month at sea, Millie and Rosalie (with the help of cousin Jackie) were reunited with Tony in New York City where they would make their home. Two years later their son Richard was born.

Soon after, Millie and Tony would divorce while sharing responsibility for Rosalie and Rickey. Rickey would live with Millie, and Rosalie would live with Tony. The economics of the time necessitated this arrangement…and was only made possible with the support of Tirsa DaCosta (Tony’s aunt Tatita) and her daughter Jacqueline (Jackie).

While living in New York and (later) New Jersey, Millie worked for a number of prestigious New York based companies in various managerial and administrative positions; ER Squibb & Sons, Beechnut/Lifesavers, and Kraft/Heinz among them. A working mother in New York City was no easy feat…but again, made possible with the unconditional love and support of family.

Some years later Millie married John Varen. John owned 2 brownstone apartment buildings in New York where Millie, John, and Rickey would make their home. Some years later came the move to New Jersey with Rosalie making that move along with John, Millie, and Rickey.

The move to New Jersey with John and Millie’s daily commute to work in New York created some logistical challenges and strain. Consequently Millie and John divorced with Millie deciding to remain in New Jersey and John in New York.

At that time Rosalie was living in New Jersey while commuting to work in New York. Living in close proximity to Millie provided each with great comfort and companionship. Unfortunately, Rosalie’s untimely death was a great loss for the family…and a blow to Millie that though she would find comfort in her faith, she would never fully recover from.

Millie and David (Dave) Sylvester had known each other previously and ultimately their relationship would blossom into 50 years of marriage. Their life in New Jersey was comfortable, but soon after Millie’s retirement they would decide to relocate to Massachusetts and finally to Salisbury CT. There they would pursue Dave’s passion for fly fishing…and Millie’s hobbies of cooking, writing, sewing, and gently tending to her many plants. Millie culinary skills were renowned and spanned various styles and cuisines….though she personally favored non more than her morning coffee and pastries.

Millie had an innate ability to notice the most minute details in the nature that surrounded her and drew inspiration from the magnificent New England flora and fauna. Her childlike amazement as she studied the hurried “goings” on of the birds, rabbits, squirrels and deer provided wonderment and daily entertainment for her and Dave to whom Mille provided a detailed accounting of her daily sightings.

Millie is survived by her son Richard and his wife Maggie; granddaughter Nicole Olmeda; grandson Todd Olmeda and his wife Twyla and their children Peter, Amaryn, Myles and Phineas; grandson Jeff Olmeda and his wife Catherine and their children Louis and Maxwell; grandson Steven Maldonado and his wife Lisa; grandson Daniel Maldonado and his wife Eunie.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary Cathedral, 203 E. 10th St., Austin, TX. 78701 on September 26th at 9:30 AM, preceded by The Rosary at 9:00 AM.

A separate service followed by cremains interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Chapel, Hawthorne, NY. in late October. Date and time to follow.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice.