Sylvia Gabos passed from this world in the early afternoon of March 28, leaving it a little better than she found it.  After breaking her leg outside her house in Dennis last September, the final months of her 89^th year were spent in the wonderful care of the rehab team and then hospice care at Liberty Commons in Chatham, MA.  During the last few years prior to her fall, vascular dementia slowly robbed us of the bright, convivial, inquisitive and outgoing Sylvia that her many friends and acquaintances had come to know and love.  A quieter but still kind and loving Sylvia remained.  She would greet everyone with a smile, whether she could remember their name or not.
 
Sylvia grew up in Coatesville PA in Lancaster County and attended Millersville State College, where she studied education with the intention of becoming a teacher. She then lived and taught elementary school in Lancaster for several years before meeting and marrying Richard Gabos in 1964.  After moving to Lynnfield, MA that same year, Sylvia taught a couple more years in Saugus, leaving when her son Ben was born in 1966, followed by daughter Betsy in 1967.
 
Thanks to her connective personality, throughout the 30 years they lived in Lynnfield, Sylvia and Richard enjoyed lots of time with a close group of friends and neighbors.  Sylvia was active in the choir at Our Lady of Assumption Church and the “friends of the Lynnfield Library” group.  Besides bearing the bulk of the caregiving of Betsy and Ben, due to Richard’s frequent work travel requirements, Sylvia tended an extensive array of perennial gardens and annuals at their home on Lakeview Drive.
 
When they moved to East Dennis in 1994 Sylvia brought her love of gardening along with her and joined the Village Garden Club of Dennis where she made a number of new acquaintances.  She was also a longtime member of the ladies’ guild of Our Lady of the Cape Church.  Beyond gardening, Sylvia was a lifelong reader and lover of good books.  She also enjoyed seeing live music and attending all manner of fine arts exhibits, performances and movies.  It was always a joy to hear her sing along with her favorite jazz and popular music of the 50’s and 60’s.  Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald were among her many favorite singers.

Sylvia is remembered fondly by her children, extended family and friends as a caring, dedicated and curious person.  She will be dearly missed.

This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. Zinnias will always remind me of her. Wishing you peace and comfort.