Margaret Sylwester Obituary

Margaret Ann SYLWESTER Margaret Ann Sylwester was born September 24, 1948 to Reverend Walter and Paula Georg Sylwester where she joined Paul, Ted, Jim, David, Herbert, John, Richard, Milton, Robert and Rosemary in their home in Roseburg, Oregon. Margaret graduated from Cascade High School in Everett, WA in 1966. From 1967-70 she worked, played and went to school in Washington D.C. In 1973 she received her teaching degree from UW. From 1973-75 she served in the Peace Corp in Jamaica, Caribbean. She worked for the Head Start Program in Seattle from 1975-79. In 1980 she got her Dental Assistant degree at Seattle Central Community College. For the past 30 years she worked as a dental assistant, most recently at the UW Dental School until retirement in June 2010. Margaret proclaimed that it was by God's grace that she was able to work full time while living with ovarian cancer and its treatments and side effects since October 2001. She was always an active church member, most recently at Messiah Lutheran. In her spare time, Margaret loved making her famous "Button Bouquets" for her family and friends and tending her beautiful "Glass Gardens". Margaret's last big vacation was a much-anticipated trip to Hawaii in March where she waded in the warm ocean water, experienced restful island life and brought home macadamia nuts for everyone! Margaret went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. She will be deeply missed by her 10 siblings, her many nieces and nephews and her abundance of close friends. Services will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115, on Saturday, September 25 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Lutheran Ministry Services Northwest, 4130 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 or Messiah Lutheran Church, address listed above or the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, 1221 Madison St., Suite 1401, Seattle, WA 98104.

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Published by The Seattle Times from Sep. 22 to Sep. 23, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Sylwester

13 Entries

Liz Sipprell-Healy

October 1, 2010

A special friend REMEMBERED
and a beautiful life HONORED
with deepest sympathy.
My heart goes out to everyone in the Sylwester family. I hope that your warmest & happiest memories of Margaret last forever. Margaret's smile was contagious. Thinking about Margaret brings back so many happy memories. She was a wonderful role model, even as a child.

Lennis

September 25, 2010

Thank you, Margaret, for showing us what courage and optimism in the face of adversity truly means...and thank you even more for being so kind and supportive to Bobby when he most needed to know he wasn't alone in his fight against cancer.You will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known you....

Chris Lakey

September 24, 2010

No matter how tired or sick she was, Margaret always had a joke or wry comment. What an inspiration to all of us who take our good health for granted. She and I share a birthday, so Margaret, especially today I am thinking of you. The daphne odora that I planted in your honor about 6 years ago in front of our condo buildings will bloom in a couple of months and I will inhale that sweet scent and share it with you.

Retirement Party

Debbie

September 24, 2010

It seems like only yesterday when Margaret walked in to work wearing her very bright jacket and lime green hat...LOL. She was always wearing a smile and couldn't wait to start her day. I always looked forward to seeing what earrings she decided to wear for the day too. I will miss that smile and the lime green hat.

Retirement Party

September 24, 2010

Tom Duren

September 24, 2010

As a classmate & friend Margaret,she will be missed by many of us. She'd emailed updates on her progress the past few years, with the most recent one sent this May: http://bit.ly/d8MavR Our thoughts & prayers are with her & her family.

In the endodontic clinic with Necia and Tiarra

Moira

September 24, 2010

I worked with Margaret at the UW she was a constant marvel and wonder to me while we worked together, her faith and strength was a thing of beauty and true testament to her dedication and beliefs

Margaret was an adventuress! Here she is about to embark on a forest quad ride.

Lynn Wirta

September 23, 2010

Sara

September 23, 2010

I bought Margaret's old condo when she moved downstairs. In the 2 1/2 years I knew her as my neighbor she was so helpful, gracious and friendly. I will miss her.

September 22, 2010

Margaret was an inspiration to both of us, and also to Elaine's 93-year-old Mom. Margaret visited Elaine's mom several times during the last three or four years, and Erika was always struck with Margaret's faith, upbeat demeanor, and joy in the face of her battle with cancer. The last time we saw Margaret, two weeks ago, she asked us to come out in the lobby of the hospice center, and there told us that she had stopped Chemo.She knew, and wanted us to know, what that meant. And she asked us to pray the Nunc Dimittus with her, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace." She was a wonderful witness to faith, bravery, and joy!

September 22, 2010

I met Margaret through our hiking group in the 1990s. We had fun exploring trails and beaches. I admired Margaret's strength as she battled cancer these past years. It was amazing. I treasure my "button bouquet" that sits on my windowsill. Till we meet again,

September 22, 2010

I can’t imagine a better adaptation to a situation with an inevitable, fatal ending than was demonstrated by Margaret. For about 8 years she endured almost constant chemo and radiation therapy without ever an indication of self pity.

Hers was the most admirable and impressive imaginable demonstration of how faith in God can provide support and solace in an incredibly adverse situation.

Kelly Anderson

September 22, 2010

Margaret was an inspiration to me and I will miss her greatly!

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