Sylvia Ann Tumbarello

Sylvia Ann Tumbarello, 97, of Northbrook, Illinois, passed away on November 2, 2025. She was born to the late Matthew Malina and Zuzanna (Hrivnak) Malina on November 22, 1927.
Sylvia attended Comodore Barry Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois and Kelvyn Park High School also in Chicago, Illinois. On February 14, 1962, she married Vincent Tumbarello, and was a devoted wife for 41 years until Vincent's death in 2008.
Sylvia enjoyed square dancing, ballroom dancing, volleyball, Bible Study Fellowship, and was an active volunteer with the American Legion where she made care packages for overseas soldiers for many years. She was known by some as "the poppy lady" as she sold poppies in support of the American Legion for many years. In addition, she and Vince managed the Columbian Club and hosted many weddings there for several years. They also managed the last Port-O-Call, which was a massive fundraiser for the church Vincent attended, which paid off the debt for the church.
However, her main passion was her family. She was room mother for all three children and was a stay-at-home mom for the entirety of her children's formative years. She was an active member of Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church (Chicago) until 1979, and of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Northbrook, IL) from 1979 until her death.
She loved to travel. Her two favorite journeys were a trip to South America with her father, during which time the Russians launched "Sputnik" which threatened their return to the States, and a "trip around the world" in 1960 with her sister, Ellen (Malina) Tomas. Vincent proposed upon her arrival, stating that he wanted to marry her before she left town again! There were annual family vacations in the orange Pontiac, and as the kids grew up, Vince and Sylvia often "wintered" in Hawaii, California, or Florida.
Sylvia is survived by her three children, Stephen Tumbarello (Lorton, VA), Valerie Reed (Palatine, IL), and David Tumbarello (Howell, MI), as well as by her 5 grandchildren, and dear friend Jeffrey Elliott.
There will be a Celebration of Life at New Hope Community Church, 1023 E. Palatine Road, Palatine on Monday, November 10 at 4 pm. Interment Private at Bohemian National Cemetery.
God our Savior showed us how good and kind He is. He saved us because of His mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us a new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us His Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7.