Kathleen (Patnode) Sylvia

Kathleen Sylvia of South Yarmouth passed away on September 20, 2022 at Cape Heritage Health Care Center, where she was a resident.  She was 73 years old.

Kathie was born in Keene, NH, the daughter of Patricia Aivaliotis and James (Sonny) Patnode. She was a class of 1966 graduate of Thayer High School in Winchester, NH where she was active in cheerleading, 4H, and many clubs and groups.  Kathie remembered her school days fondly, often sharing stories and reminiscing. 

In the early 1980s, Kathie met her beloved husband, Ronald Sylvia, and moved to Cape Cod.  There, Kathie continued raising her family and had careers in personal banking and medical billing.  Kathie was a devoted partner to Ron.  The couple were steadfast in their care for one another through the many challenges life brought their way.  In their later years, Kathie and Ron spent their days going for long drives around the Cape, watching their favorite television shows, and enjoying time with their grandchildren. 

Kathie was a skilled craftsperson with talents in sewing and decorative painting, among many others.  She lent her creative flair to countless art projects, including intricate handmade Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren.  In keeping with her artistic eye, Kathie’s home was decorated with cherished collections of antiques, nostalgic memorabilia, and family photos.  To this she added seasonal decor for every holiday, creating a festive spirit for all who visited.

Kathie was known for making the holidays merry for her family, preparing special meals with her husband and making sure everyone’s Christmas stockings were full to the brim.  She found joy in selecting and exquisitely wrapping gifts for all of her loved ones.  She similarly cherished family vacations to Hampton Beach, where she loved to sit by the water and listen to live music.

Known for her quick wit and cheeky sense of humor, Kathie kept everyone laughing, often at her own expense, up to the very end of her life.  She spent her last days surrounded by family, telling jokes, eating ice cream in the late summer sun, and meeting her newborn grandson.

Kathie’s memory will be carried on by her children and their partners: Jeff & Lisa Croumie of Centerville, MA, Scott Croumie of Salem, NH, Timothy & Camille Sylvia of Wareham, MA, Benjamin & Meagan Sylvia of Wendell, MA and Zoe & Jesse Burch of Petersham, MA.  She will also be remembered with deep fondness by her grandchildren: Jacob and Chloe Croumie of Wareham, MA, Milo Sylvia of Wareham, MA, and Percy, Maisie, and Amelia Burch of Petersham, MA.

Kathie is also survived by siblings Susan Nelson of Oak Island, NC, Michael Aivaliotis of Ojo Sarco, NM and Steven Aivaliotis of Winchester, NH.  In addition to her parents, Kathie was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Sylvia and her sister, Peggy Schultz.

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