Sylvia Farrell Alderson

1930 - 2017

Sylvia Farrell Alderson of Taneytown, Maryland, formerly of Westminster, died peacefully on November 14, 2017, at Lorien Healthcare. She was 87. Born September 3, 1930, in High Point, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Robert Paul Farrell and Nellie Thomasson Farrell. The family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when Sylvia was three years old. She lived in Nashville for over forty years, raising three children with her husband, Bill Alderson Jr. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and later earned a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in psychiatric nursing. She worked as a psychiatric nurse for ten years in Tennessee, Delaware, and New York. Sylvia was also an accomplished artist, working in oil paint, water color, pen and ink and other media. She especially enjoyed drawing and painting scenes from the natural world. Her artwork is on display in more than half a dozen states across the country. In 1986, Sylvia and Bill moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and over the next twenty-three years, Sylvia was actively involved in the arts there. She was a member, and served a term as president, of Associated Artists of Winston-Salem. In 2009, she moved to Maryland to be closer to family. She enjoyed several years living and participating in activities at Brightview Westminster Ridge, until declining health required her to move to Lorien Healthcare in Taneytown. The family is very grateful for the excellent care Sylvia received at both of these facilities, as well as the compassionate care provided by Carroll Hospice. Sylvia was a member of PEO, a philanthropic educational organization, in both Winston-Salem (Chapter P) and Westminster (Chapter AJ). She was an active member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville, Centenary United Methodist in Winston-Salem, and Westminster United Methodist in Westminster. Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas Alderson Jr., and her brother, Robert Paul Farrell Jr. She is survived by three children, William Thomas Alderson III of Nashville, Virginia Alderson Hoffman (Chris) of Corvallis, Montana, and Rebecca Alderson Zimmerman (Jay) of Westminster, grandchildren Crystal Hoffman Knox of Helena, Montana, Matthew Hoffman of Lolo, Montana, and Kate Hoffman Ramage of Kirkland, Washington, Kevin Zimmerman of Hampstead, Colin Zimmerman of Belcamp, and Holly Zimmerman of Westminster, as well as five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A private service with family and close friends will take place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with interment at Forsyth Memorial Park. A public memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 3, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Westminster United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to: Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, 251 Spruce St. N., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.