of Hamburg, NY. Peacefully passed away on October 14, 2024 at the age of 92. Beloved wife of the late Henry M. Stepien; dearest mother of Donna Marie (Ignacio Villa) Stepien, Laurie Ann (Martin) Derby and Michael Thaddeus (Sandra) Stepien; cherished Grammie of Keith (Erin), Kirsta, Alexis, Jackson, Aaron, Aurora, Matthew and Mitchell and great-grammie of Kai, Ania, River and Fern; loving sister of the late Joseph (late Helen and surviving Carole) Gutt and Rita Hart; also survived by nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Sunday, October 27th from 3-7 PM at LOOMIS, OFFERS & LOOMIS INC. FUNERAL HOME (Hamburg Chapel) 207 Main Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 28th at 10 AM at Saints Peter & Paul RC Church- Hamburg, NY. Please assemble at church. Flowers gratefully declined, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Buffalo Inc. or The Association of Marian Helpers- Stockbridge, MA.
Sylvia was born in Buffalo, and she lived in Black Rock until her marriage to Henry in 1951, after which she lived in Tonawanda most of her adult life. After downsizing in 1990, she and Henry split their time between East Amherst and Deerfield Beach, Florida. Sylvia was not as fond of Florida as was Henry, although she loved to refer to the both of them as ‘snowbirds.’
Sylvia attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary school through eighth grade; she completed her formal education at Riverside High School. Immersed in the Polish Catholic culture of Black Rock in the 1930s and ’40s, Sylvia was an active member of Assumption Parish and especially loved dancing with a traditional Polish dance youth group throughout her girlhood. In grade school, Sylvia made lifelong friendships with the ‘girls’ of her ‘secret pal club,’ maintaining these friendships 85-plus years until the end of her life.
After marriage, Sylvia and Henry moved to Tonawanda, where Sylvia became an active member of first, St Andrew’s Parish, and afterwards St Edmund’s, and she began what came to be 50-plus continuous years of Parish and community volunteer service. Sylvia served as a Lector and a Extraordinary Minister, including at Daybreak Television Mass for Shut Ins. She read on Radio Reading Show for the Blind, and she was a member of Ladies of Charity. She received a special award commemorating 35 years of service at Kenmore Mercy Hospital/McCauley Nursing Home, where she brought the Eucharist to residents.
After Henry’s death in 2013, Sylvia lived independently for 11 years in Hamburg, enthusiastically becoming involved in community at her home at Creekbend Heights Apartments and in Parish life at Saints Peter and Paul Church.
Sylvia was a talented seamstress; her children have lovingly stored their christening outfits—dating to the mid-1950s—and their prom dresses that Sylvia adorned with special touches. She loved to cook, and could make a meat loaf taste better than prime rib.
Sylvia was genuine, joyful, and very sociable. She remembered everyone and she showed her love through every encounter with every person—she even had meaningful, impromptu conversations with strangers in the grocery store line or during a walk on the beach!
Sylvia, was our "dear friend" and a total friend of Saints Peter and Paul Church. As soon as she took residence "next door" she became fully involved, not only did she attend mass but quickly became a reader and much more. She came to bible study and often talked of "My Laurie"--"My Laurie" Who could this "My Laurie" be ?--then suddenly she showed up with "My Laurie" on her arm to be introduced as "Our daughter-in-law Marcy's. " Best Friend"! It seemed like a--very small world!! We are very fortunate to have known such a great lady. Norman and Elsie Hertz