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Sylva Jerbert Obituary
Sylva was born on her father's farm in Othello, Wash., on Sept. 20, 1920. She was the youngest of eight children and the last of her generation.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Randolph Booker and Mollie Bowles Huttsell Booker; her brothers, Paul, Evan, and Tom; and her sisters, Edna, Fay, Marie, and her beloved sister who always made her laugh, Virginia. She is also predeceased by her daughter, Kathryn "Katy" Schenk; as well as her former husband and love of her life, Arthur H. Jerbert.
At the age of five, Sylva, her mother, and several other children left the farm and moved to Seattle, Wash. Her parents wanted their children to have an education, graduate from college, and then make their decision on whether to return to farming or choose another path. Sylva was very proud of her family heritage and often told the story of how her father prospected for gold in the Alaskan Gold Rush. He was successful enough to move his family from Missouri in 1901 and homestead in the Big Bend area of Washington State.
Sylva attended the University of Washington and loved English and the arts. Her special interests at the time were music, singing in particular, and being in the drama department. She would often tell us how she and two of her university girlfriends, "The Vogues," sang at a radio station (recording a record) and would sing for the troops during World War II. She had a beautiful soprano voice.
She married Arthur in 1944 and became a naval officer's wife. Sylva loved to travel and saw many "wonderful" countries throughout Europe, Scandinavia, and the Far East. Settling down in Ledyard, she found her second calling, gardening and flower arranging. She was the former president of the Ledyard Garden Club, former president of the Eastern Seaboard Chapter of Ikebana International, and a Master of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. She was a parishioner of Bishop Seabury Church in Groton.
Sylva's sweet disposition and gentle nature glowed from within her. She was a selfless and peaceful person. She truly never felt anger. She loved sharing bits of family history, but she never felt comfortable talking about herself. Her love and devotion to her family was the blessing of her life, and she was thankful. Life was simple to Sylva. Love and take care of your family and those around you, and you will be blessed. Sylva was blessed.
Sylva is survived by her children, Jeffrey Alan Jerbert (Sandy) of Willington; Arthur Henri Jerbert Jr. (Jean) of Groton, and grandson, Richard Jerbert of Grand Prairie, Texas, grandchildren, Kara Schenk (Alen Alexanderian) of Baltimore, Md., Andrew Schenk (Macrina) of Monroe, Wash., Jessica Luwandaga (Samuel and son, Shammah) of West Des Moines, Iowa and Mukono, Uganda; Sylva Marie Campbell (Glen) of Colchester, grandchildren, Micah Gutt of Chaplin, Mara Gutt and great-grandson, Corbin Pacheco-Gutt of Jewett City; Dorothy Jerbert Perez (Bob) of Sammamish, Wash., and grandchildren, Matthew Perez (Jacquie), Sarah Perez, and Rebecca Perez, all of Washington State; and James Fredric Jerbert (Dawn, grandson, Mitchell) of Ocean, N.J.
All are welcome to services that will be held at 2 p.m. on March 3, 2012, at Bishop Seabury Church, 256 North Road, Groton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Sylva B. Jerbert, to Fairview, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340.
Please visit www.byles.com for the family's online registry.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sylva Jerbert
Jon Lindahl
February 15, 2021
A wonderfully kind and sweet person . Always smiling...
Sheila Barrs
March 2, 2012
Sylva was an inspiration to those of us who live on Beechwood Dr. She was kind and gentle, always had a positive attitude and loved talking about her family and her flowers. May she rest in peace.
Christine Kutneski
February 29, 2012
To the family of Sylva; I am very sorry for your loss. I have known this wonderful person for my entire 45 years. I lived on Maple Terrace and she was my sweet, kind, gentle and wonderful neighbor. Our families grew up together. I remember watching Freddie play football with my brothers. I remember babysitting for Katie - Kara, Andrew and Jessica. Remember watching Richie. I remember seeing Marie , Micah and Marah during there stay in the family home. Jeff used to let me come over and borrow the movies from his collection. I have always had a warm welcome feeling in their home. I am grateful for having known her and I am elated that she has lived such a long, full life. My love to you all. Christine McCarthy Kutneski
Irena Kowalczyk
February 28, 2012
My thoughts go out to all of her family. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed by all that new her. We send our deepest condolences to her Family. Irena Kowalczyk with her family
Deborah Booker
February 23, 2012
Auntie Pink was the heart of the teachers of the family and when I went into teaching she sent me a wonderful card to praise pursuit of the field. She and Aunt Virginia will always be the giggling, laughing, singing, red-headed aunts that made family togethers fun! She definitely taught me that first, life should be fun! I feel thankful to have known her!
February 23, 2012
Auntie Pink will be missed. She was the last or the original Booker children. My thoughts go out to her family as you grieve the loss of such a wonderful woman. We are cousins, even though we have never met, but your mother always wrote me such beautiful cards. Love to you all.
February 22, 2012
Sylva was my beloved Aunt. It began even before I was the flower girl in her wedding. Sylva was elegant, gentle & loving in every way. In later years I had the opportunity to travel wth Sylva, her sister Virginia. In the evening there was always time to share family stories & laughter. They lovingly called each other "sister." I will never forget the joy these sisters had when they were together. Janie Fairchild, Sequim, WA.
February 22, 2012
Dear Mara, Corbin, & Family,
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to you over the loss of your beloved grandmother. It showed how much you loved and cared for her and I know you will miss her dearly. Always cherish the wonderful memories and teachings she shared with you over the years which will help comfort you during this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Santiago
Patty Clifford Murphy
February 22, 2012
Marie and Family~~I was always in awe of your mothers' elegance and presence! Kind and serene certainly describes her best. The world is a better place for her having been here. With Love, Patty Clifford Murphy
Renee Foy
February 21, 2012
I had the honor of befriending and caring for Sylva. What a lovely lady. She will be greatly missed.
Katie Jones
February 21, 2012
I'll always remember Mrs. Jerbert walking her dog, Jenny, around Maple Terrace, the street where my family lived next door to the Jerberts for 18 years. What a peaceful and kind lady she was. Such sweet memories of her as a neighbor. My love and condolences to her family. Katie (Girard) Jones
Linnea Olsson
February 21, 2012
Some of my favorite memories of living on Maple Terrance are lunches in her kitchen, playing in her gardens and movies in her Theater room. She was such a generous and loving woman who welcomed everyone that came to the neighborhood - kids and parents. What a beautiful spirit who blessed so many lives. I am grateful to have met her. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Jon Lindahl
February 21, 2012
Mrs. Jerbert was a great lady-kind and vivacious. Living down the street on Maple Terrace, I have fond memories of this sweet person. I offer my condolences to the family.
February 21, 2012
To the Family:
My heartfelt condolences. She was such a lovely and gracious woman, and those beautiful gardens! I have wonderful memories of the Jerberts. Thinking of you all. Carol Lindahl Murray, Billings, Montana
Maureen Reardon
February 21, 2012
I was saddened to hear of your mothers passing. There are no words to express my heartfelt sympathy to your family.
Mrs. Jerbert was such a beautiful person, as a friend of Katy's, I remember her as soft spoken lady, one that had a way of letting you know she meant business and one you wished to please.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Jerbert Family at this difficult time.
ruth barreto
February 21, 2012
My condolences to the jerbert family. Silva jerbert a loving caring sweetest woman I've grown to know while her stay at Fairview. I've enjoyed her so much! Especially her stories and memories of her family!! One thing Silva mostly enjoyed was having her hair brushed!!!! You will be missed!!
Bruce and Janet MacDonald
February 21, 2012
I am always intrigued by the wording of an obituary as they are final tributes to those people who have been well loved. And Sylva Jerbert was indeed well loved, by all who met her. I was fortunate to make her acquaintance in 1998 through her lovely daughter Marie after moving to CT as a new bride. We three were kindred souls with respect to the love of a perennial bed, I so enjoyed visiting Sylva's beautiful gardens at her Maple Terrace residence. A gardener shares what they know best, dividing and thinning to promote growth and gifting those who share their love. I was one of those fortunate enough to recieve many established plants from that Maple Terrace garden. They are now thriving in my own garden here in northern Maine and will always be called "Sylva's" as my husband and I remember her fondly.
February 21, 2012
She was a beautiful woman who I admired from the day we moved to Maple Terrace. We spent times together at garden club and her children were my babysitters, well done. And we did many lunches with the girls in the neighborhood. She will be remembered always. Judy Mccarthy
Diane McCarthy
February 21, 2012
What a beautiful life truly lived! I was fortunate enough to have grown up across the street from Mrs. Jerbert. I remember her singing her kids into the house around dinner time. What a beautiful voice, sweet and gentle. Also, all her amazing flowers and gardens that I used to walk through to get to the neighbors' yards. She was such a gift to our neighborhood. I am happy she lived a long, healthy, and happy life.
Steven Reardon
February 21, 2012
To the Jerbert Family:
Each one of us must let the hand go of one that we love to one that we have not yet met. The memories they leave behind is what love is made of.
Please accept my condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Debra Green
February 21, 2012
As a teenage girl, I had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Jerbert and I always thought of her as the ideal mom. Her kindness and genuine support for her children extended to their friends. I loved staying at that house that she made into a beautiful home . And I smile when I think about the Friday night spaghetti supers and that special rock garden.
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