Sylvia Lenora Farin

1921 - 2015

Farin, Sylvia Lenora (Cotcamp)

Sylvia L. Farin, 94, Neenah/Madison, was taken into Gods loving arms on July 31, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 8, 1921, in Fayetteville, West Virginia, the daughter of Corbett S. and Goldie (Decker) Cotcamp. As the firstborn of 15 children, she assumed a caregiving role early in life. She went out to play on the family farm with a child on each hip.

This would set the stage for the role Sylvia nurtured throughout her life and the independence she exhibited into her 90s. Her siblings continued to look up to her as their big sister and Sylvia lovingly cared for her own family with husband, William "Bill" Farin, whom she married on Nov. 7, 1942, in Charleston, West Virginia. Sylvia was a quiet presence, preferring to let her actions do the talking. She set an example with her unconditional love and unwavering dignity and grace even in the most difficult of times.

She graduated from Fayetteville High School and attended the Charleston School of Commerce and was a member and officer of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Iota, an international honorary business sorority. She worked in the safety department at the Naval Ordnance plant of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corp. in South Charleston where she met her future husband. They eventually settled in Neenah in 1959.

A proud convert, Sylvia's faith was very important to her. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish where she took on a number of volunteer roles including taking communion to shut-ins and serving funeral dinners. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

She volunteered at Theda Clark Hospital and for the American Red Cross, earning Volunteer of the Year Award in 1982. She also served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother and enjoyed crocheting, cross stitch, sewing and macramé.

Most of all, Sylvia loved spending time with family and attended yearly reunions with her siblings as long as she could. She enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, cherishing each one that came along.

She took special care of her son William "Billy" who was born with numerous allergies at a time when it was hard to get the special foods he needed. She was also completely devoted when her husband suffered a stroke just before his retirement, caring for him in their home until about a year before he passed at age 87.

She is survived by her children: Thomas (Chari) Farin, Verona; Michael (Pam Cotant) Farin, Madison; Catherine (Mike Rusk) Farin-Rusk, Lodi; and David (Anja) Farin, Appleton; grandchildren, Rob, Jon, Jay and Elizabeth Farin, Mike Rusk, Molly (Paul) Spotts, Garrett, Elia, Elena, Jasper and Liam Farin; great-grandchildren: Olivia, Maxwell, Celina, Ciara, and Lucas Farin, and Lucia and Nicholas Spotts; brothers: Bill (Freida) Cotcamp, Marion, and Hugh Cotcamp; sisters: Delia Seeley, Barbara (Bill) Moore, Patricia Kolar, Shelby Ballard, Brenda (Bob) Hatala and Dawn Ronk; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son: William; brothers: Corbett Jr. and Larry Cotcamp; sisters: Mary Cotcamp, Elnora "Mae" McClure and Rosa Allen; brothers- and sisters-in-law: Harold Seeley, Doug Ballard, Ralph Ronk, Elberta and Sylvia Cotcamp.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., on Monday, August 17, 2015, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division St., Neenah, with Fr. Michael Ingold officiating. Visitation will be Monday at the Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Margaret Mary Parish, Catholic Daughters of Americas, or the South Central Wisconsin Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

The family is thankful for the compassionate care given by Valley VNA Senior Services, Neenah, BrightStar Senior Living, Madison, and Agrace HospiceCare, Madison.