Sylvia Louise Cafferata

Sylvia Louise Cafferata, 83, passed away unexpectedly while surrounded by the love of her children on Friday, February 20, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. She now joins her dear Louis in Heaven, who traveled there only months before.

Sylvia was born on September 20, 1942 to the late Helena Kaminski and William Mroz in Lackawanna, New York. At the age of one, Sylvia and her family moved to Chicago where they lived for four years above a grocery store on Ashland Avenue, and then spent the next decade on Bernice Avenue. Sylvia's family moved one more time to Leland Avenue where she remained until she married.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents William Mroz, and Helena Kaminski Mroz, her sisters Sophie Mroz and Lucia Mroz, and her husband of 61 years, Louis John Cafferata.

Sylvia is survived by her four children, Mary Anderson (Brad), Joseph Cafferata (Darlene), Jean Sauls (Johnny), and Thomas Cafferata (Nicole); and by her cherished grandchildren Patrick Sauls, Nicholas Cafferata, Caleb Sauls, Lily Cafferata, Louis Anderson, Camryn Heidenreich, and Emily Cafferata.

Espiritu Santo Catholic Church will open its doors to friends and family of Sylvia Cafferata who would like to stop by and pay their respects on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., and a mass for Sylvia Cafferata will follow at 10:00 a.m.

The cremains of Sylvia will remain with the Cafferata family until the urns of both of their beloved parents are escorted to their family plot at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.

Flowers can be sent to Sylvan Abbey, or in lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider making a donation in Sylvia Cafferata's name to St. Jude’s, the Heart Association, or St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota, three of the many causes that Sylvia supported.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, and kind condolences may be offered at www.sylvanabbey.com.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Sylvia and the Cafferata family, and a special thanks to Dr. John Prather, Dr. Douglas Spriggs, Drs. Osvaldo and Marta Hans, Dr. James Gilmore, Dr. Ed Garrett, Dr. Barry Bertolet, Dr. Al Pacifico, nurse Kim Marlar and nurse Jessie who kept her loving Louis with her for so many years.