Sylvia Maynard Elder

Sylvia Maynard Elder
March 28, 1929 – June 22, 2024
Sylvia Elder was born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire, daughter of
John and Nettie Maynard. She graduated from Rhode Island School of
Design with a Bachelor of Textile Design, took two courses in Engineering
Drawing at MIT, and was employed at Raytheon, in Waltham, MA as a
technical illustrator.
In 1955 she married Samuel A. Elder, and worked for
an ad agency in Providence, RI. After Providence, she and Sam moved to
Silver Spring, MD, where he joined the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
Laboratory, and the couple stayed for eight years.
In 1964, Sam took a job with the United States Naval Academy where he
taught physics for thirty-six years, and they raised five daughters.
Over time, she and her husband added two more daughters to the family; first in
friendship, and then enveloped them into Elder life. Her whole life has been
one of enveloping people into her life. She was known in her community as
a kind friend; a caring and involved neighbor; a genuinely warm hostess
with a ready meal, a cup of tea, or a cup of coffee; a listening ear; and wise
counsel.
As an active Annapolis, MD resident for the last sixty years, Sylvia and her
husband were instrumental in the planning and establishing of the
Annapolis Area Christian School, serving on its governing board. While
there, she did advertising, curriculum writing, library acquisitions, and
taught recorder classes.
She was very active in her support of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis from its inception,
and launching of its subsequent daughter churches; teaching Vacation Bible School, Sunday
school, offering her services as a worship accompanist when needed, and
leading women's Bible studies. She was known for her love of Christ and
the Word of God.
She was a great supporter of her husband's work; creating book and
lecture illustrations utilizing her excellent drafting skills. She was an
enthusiastic genealogist, researching family lines for friends as well as
identifying detailed histories of her immediate family. In her own continuing
education, she learned how to design and produce wedding cakes; took
courses in tailoring and made coats; joined a weaver's group in
Washington, DC, and produced needlework samplers for her children.
Well-trained in piano technique, she was not only an excellent local piano
teacher, but adapted her musical gifts to supporting her own children's
musical endeavors. Because of her consistent encouragement and
direction, all her daughters gained a greater appreciation of music. One
was a music teacher, and first cellist of the Minot Symphony (North Dakota)
until her death in 2002; One played viola for the Annapolis Symphony,
retiring recently after thirty-one years; and several daughters composed
music for performance. Her love of music has been passed on to both
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her daughter, Sheila Elder Korzep in
2002, and her husband, Samuel A. Elder in 2007. She is survived by her
daughters – Susan Elder Erikson (Laveen, AZ), Sarah Elder (Annapolis,
MD), Louise Elder Chestnut (Arnold, MD), Sharon Elder Thayer (Sutton,
MA), Lee Hethcox (Hillsborough, NC), and Kathy Volz (Annapolis, MD).
She is also survived by twenty-six grandchildren, thirty-six great-
grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family is particularly thankful to Hortense and Felicia, of One You Love
Homecare, for their exceptionally fine and loving care of Sylvia in her final
days.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The
Navigators, to support Rose Thayer's ministry to college students in
Scotland (donations.navigators.org | fund #23838715), or to the donor's
charity of choice.
Visitation will be on Saturday, July 6, from 2-4 pm, and 6-8 pm at Hardesty
Funeral Home in Annapolis, 12 Ridgely Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.
The memorial service will be at Evangelical Presbyterian Church of
Annapolis, Sunday, July 7, at 2 pm, 710 Ridgely Ave, Annapolis, MD
21401.