Carolyn Teresa Sylvia

1937 - 2021

Our community sadly lost a long term dedicated servant on Sunday, June 6th, 2021, when Carolyn "Carol" Teresa Sylvia passed away in her home from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Carol was named Los Alamitos Women of the year in 1991 in recognition of her devotion to her beloved city. She selflessly donated her time and energy over the years to the Los Al Community Center, Los Al Pony Baseball, Los Al Marathon, St. Isidore Fiesta and numerous other local endeavors.
Carol was a devoted Roman Catholic and remained active in St. Hedwig parish up until shortly before her passing. She served as a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister to parishioners that could not attend mass. She worked tirelessly in multiple ministries including St. Vincent DePaul, WE CARE, Self Help Interfaith Program (SHIP) and the parish Autumnfest. Carol was committed to and was supported by her Cursillo prayer group and consistently prayed for the less fortunate, her family and her beloved country.
She was born in Ottawa Ohio on June 3, 1937 to Gilbert and Louise Imm. After graduating from St. Peter and Paul High School, she worked for Marathon Oil in Findley OH. During this time, she met her future husband Charles Sylvia while he was visiting Ottawa with a fraternity brother. The two were married in 1960 and moved to New York. A couple of years later, Charles' aerospace profession landed him in California where the two eventually purchased their home in Los Alamitos in 1963. Carol and Chuck adopted and raised their two children in this home which neither left until the Lord called them home.
Carol was a graduate of Cal State Dominguez Hills with a Bachelors in Accounting. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and worked for a private accounting practice until the owner retired. She then finished her career working in the City of Downey's Purchasing Department where she made many life long friends.
Carol's interests generally centered around her religious devotion. She also enjoyed weekends at the family cabin in Lake Arrowhead. One of her fondest accomplishments was the great life-long friendships she made in her neighborhood and through the parish community. Above all else, she loved her grandchildren. Nothing put a smile on her face more than spending time with them and "showing them off." Good words to describe Carol are dignified, principled, generous and selfless.
Carol is survived by her daughter Karen (Sylvia) Bravata of Huntington Beach, her son Robert Sylvia of Reno NV, her grandchildren Aleesa Bravata and Charlie Sylvia, and her brothers Daniel Imm, Patrick Imm and William Imm of Ohio. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years Charles Sylvia, her father Gilbert Imm and mother Louise Imm, and brothers Johnathan, Jeffrey and Michael.
Memorial Services are scheduled at St. Hedwig Parish in Los Alamitos on Tuesday, June 29th at 2PM. A reception following the service will be announced at the funeral. Please feel free to make any donation to St. Vincent De Paul in her name.