Sylvia E. Coleman

Sylvia E. Coleman, age 76, Gainesville, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009. She was born March 23, 1933 in Gainesville, FL. Sylvia was preceded in death by her father at age 1 and her mother at age 10; she and her brother, John were raised by relatives throughout the rest of their childhood. She went to elementary school in Gainesville but went to high school in Daytona Beach, where she was class valedictorian. She received her Bachelor's degree and PhD in Botany from the University of Florida, and worked for both the VA and the University of Florida as a researcher in soil sciences and botany. She is survived by her stepsons, Clay Aldrich, Oak Park, CA and John Aldrich, Vienna, VA; as well as grandsons Jack, Christopher, Mason and Miles; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; her caregiver and friend, Mary James and her friends, Madeline Rasche and Donna Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Aldrich. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue. Interment will be private at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 NORTH MAIN STREET. (352) 376-7556.