Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Samuel and Ada (Sharff) Frankel
(deceased). Wife of the late Stanley Cowan. Sister of the late Jules and Morton Frankel. Sylvia is survived by her daughters, Lauri Pollack (Bert Rapowitz), (Richard Pollack, deceased), (Charles Levin, deceased) of Sarasota, Florida; Terri Steindler (Howard) of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren Jonathan and David Hausman both of Cleveland, Ohio.
Sylvia’s family moved to Mansfield, Ohio where she graduated from
Mansfield Senior High School in 1936. She attended Northwestern
University, subsequently graduating from The Ohio State University in
1940 with a degree in education.
Upon graduation, Sylvia received a special award for conducting a national network radio program on Ohio History from WOSU in Columbus, Ohio. The first of its kind, “The Story Hour” was broadcast through the National Broadcast System.
Sylvia worked in radio for a few years, and received several awards as
best actress in community theatre productions.
She was a volunteer with The League of Women Voters (serving as president of the Mansfield chapter), the YWCA and after moving both to Oberlin and Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband Stanley, she became active in book groups, The Cleveland Museum of Art Women’s Council, enjoyed attending cultural productions, and always had a book in hand.
Sylvia spent her later years in Sarasota, Florida where she continued an active lifestyle, pursuing her lifelong interests. Sylvia always had something to say, questions at the ready, and an interview waiting in the wings. A communicator, a teacher, and an inquisitor.
Arrangements private. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a contribution,
please do so to an organization of your choice.
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