Sylvia Lorraine Ross

Sylvia was born on Chebeague Island, April 28, 1932, the fourth child of Ervin and Ellen Bennett Hamilton. It is thought that she may be the last Chebeaguer to have been born and lived out her life on the island. She was proud of her deep island roots extending back to 1756. Sylvia attended the island schools, and one year, Sylvia and three of her siblings were in the same one room school! She graduated from Chebeague High School in 1949. Meeting Margaret Chase Smith was the highlight of her class trip to Washington.

Sylvia worked at the phone company before her marriage to James (Brother) Ross Jr. in 1955. They had been married for 57 years when he passed in 2012. She lived in the same house for 68 years.

Family was everything to Sylvia, who was devoted to her son Gary and he to her. She was a caring wife and mother and always had a hearty meal on the table when Brother and Gary came in from hauling. She remained close to her siblings, her in-laws, and her extended family throughout her life.

Sylvia loved to tell stories about “the old Chebeague” and her island childhood. She was born during the Great Depression. While growing up during World War 2, she did her part on the home front. After school she climbed the stairs on the outside the schoolhouse to the roof, where at age 12, she served as a certified enemy plane spotter, and she kept the picture ID to prove it!

Sylvia Ross immersed herself in island organizations. She joined the Grange as a teen, was a member of the PTA, a lifelong member of the Chebeague Church, and helped the Ladies Aid. She was a stockholder in the Chebeague Island Hall Company and was instrumental in creating the Chebeague Island Hall Community Center. She served the organization in many capacities including heading a successful campaign to raise money to put bathrooms in the Hall. She obtained a State Bingo license so folks could play Bingo at the Hall. The CIHCC honored her with an honorary life seat on its board.

Sylvia was a founder and an incorporator of the Chebeague Island Historical Society. She served in numerous capacities including president. She worked on exhibits, programming, and served on the building committee. She wrote for the CIHS publications. Sylvia co-wrote a musical fundraiser, Chebeague in Fact, Fiction and Folklore. She was a life member of the organization.

One of Sylvia’s fondest accomplishments was being part of a group of Chebeaguers, who convinced Nabisco to bring back the Pilot Cracker. Sylvia articulated her passion for the cracker with enthusiasm when she was interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning and numerous other media outlets. The Arkansas Gazette reported that she had an empty box of Pilot Crackers that documented the date she ate the last cracker! Sylvia was quoted as saying, “Bring me a few crackers, and you’ll see a tear in my eye!”

Sylvia Ross could do just about anything. She captured decades of island life by taking slides and videos of events. She taught herself to play the organ, to type, to oil paint, and to hang wallpaper. She was an active member of the “Chebeague Piecemakers”, making many quilts for family and friends. She was a poet, and one of her poems is included in Chebeague’s Comprehensive Plan. For many years, Sylvia was Chebeague’s Avon lady and had a large collection of Avon bottles.

Even though Sylvia was very humble and downplayed her accomplishments, she was pleased when she was honored by Maine Heath Care Association in 2024 for her many contributions to the Chebeague community.

Sylvia Hamilton Ross was loving, spunky, humorous, and kind. She will be missed by family, friends, and the Chebeague community.

Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Kenneth Hamilton Rodney Hamilton, and her sister, Audrey Collins. She is survived by her son Gary and his fiancé, Nancy Olney of Chebeague; her sister, Joyce Burns (Bob) of Yarmouth; her brother, Theron Hamilton of North Yarmouth; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on April 27 at 11 a.m. at the Chebeague Community Church. Interment will be in the Chebeague Island Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Chebeague Island Historical Society or the Island Commons.