Sylvia C. Decatur passed away in Brevard County, Florida, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was 87 years old.
Married days shy of 63 years, she is survived by her loving husband Gerry, a long-time Warwick Schools teacher and administrator, and son Scott and his wife Vanessa, all residing in Florida where Sylvia moved to be near “her ocean;” her sister Joyce, niece Sally, nephew Peter, many cousins, and grand nieces and nephews.
Warwick High’s “Senior Dean” for many years, she still awakened from dreams of her days teaching, and talk of her experiences with her creative and clever students. She also dreamed of those naughty students, who might speed past the house chanting, “Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia” late nights, or leave (or throw!) interesting items on special days.
She can be remembered as a hip, good-natured, excellent teacher and her respect for and camaraderie with students and fellow teachers turned into great and lasting friendships.
Sylvia loved her back yard on Overlook Drive and filled it with flowers she grew with bulbs and seeds from Warwick’s locals. Warwick was “home” for more than 50 years, and her life was always filled with fun-loving, beautiful friends.
She will be missed for her competitive nature and love of sports, her fierce bocce ball competitions, her sense of fashion and her fondness to debate anything.