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Sylvia R. Gilman

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Wellesley High School Vassar College

Sylvia Gilman Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Sylvia R. Gilman
Start: 2016-11-19T16:30:00.000Z
Location: chapel of the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist

Sylvia R. Gilman passed away on October 28, 2016 at the age of 80, after being ill with cancer. She was the daughter of Wilbert M. and Mary D. Gilman of Wellesley, Massachusetts. Sylvia graduated from Wellesley High School and Vassar College, majoring in English Literature. Subsequently, she had a variety of work experiences in which she combined her talent as an artist with her desire to be of service to others, most recently with the Veterans' Administration in Bedford, MA, where she helped to establish an art program for veterans. Sylvia had a strong interest in classical music, and she was highly committed to peace-related and environmental causes. She was actively involved in advancing these causes and made many lifelong friends in doing so. First and foremost an artist, she created many paintings, drawings, greeting cards and book illustrations over several decades, chronicling in some cases local musical events and performers and peace and environmental activities. Sylvia showed great strength and energy in the face of her illness and continued the activities that were so important to her almost until the end of her life. She is survived by her brother Jonathan Gilman and his wife Julika of Belmont, MA, by her nephew Nicholas and his wife Katherine of Jamaica Plain, and by friends who were of great support to her during her illness. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:30 AM at the chapel of the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, 980 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA 02138. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 and to Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 81860, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0010.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Cambridge Chronicle from Nov. 9 to Nov. 17, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Sylvia Gilman

19 Entries

Andrew Celentano

November 16, 2024

So wonderful to see people committed to Sylvia's legacy. My wife and I are friends with her brother Jon and have about 7 boxes of archived material including sketches by her. We intend to frame some and sell them to interested buyers. We would be glad to have part of the proceeds go to a memorial in her name.

Lewis

November 3, 2024

Perhaps someday a bronze plaque at the Pacifist Memorial will be erected in honor of Sylvia and her extraordinary commitment to peacemaking through her art activism. Just need a dozen people are so to commit to making this happen. Contact the Peace Abbey Foundation for more information.

Ellen Bonnie Mass

November 3, 2024

We still care for the Memorial tree planted in her honor by Friends of Alewife Reservation. Someone you never forget. Ellen

S. Edward Burns

October 17, 2022

Yes i also knew Sylvia and spoke with her often about her peaceful activism, and art-making. I was reminded of our mutual loss today; now six years ago this month when she died. Resting-in-peace.

Ellen Mass

November 3, 2019

SInce my home has several of Sylvia's etchings hanging, I am reminded of her frequently, and have not stopped completely the environmental preservation work she and I were involved in, so remember how reassuring it was to work with her and her steadfastness and artistic bent in the process. She would be unhappy with the state of the world today, but always encouraging and reassuring!

Kim Levin

December 27, 2016

So sorry to hear this very sad news. I hope Sylvia's wonderful peace march paintings will continue to live on displayed somewhere suitable. A lifelong friend from Vassar.
Kim Levin

Amy Mertl

November 23, 2016

So sorry to lose such a wonderful woman, a wonderful artist and an advocate for our wild places. She will be remembered.

kelley

November 22, 2016

MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BE OF COMFORT TO YOUR FAMILY.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17

November 21, 2016

I am very sorry for your family's loss. May your memories of your dear loved one and the Bible's hope at John 6:40 comfort you during this sad time.

Elena Saporta

November 19, 2016

Sylvia was the consumate artist. She used art as a way to connect to music, to nature and to her friends and colleagues. Sylvia's art kept her hopeful and at peace with a world in turmoil.

Her grace and gentleness will be missed.

Kevin Henze

November 18, 2016

Sylvia's creativity will live on at the Bedford VA, where several of her original water colors of the facility buildings and landscape are housed as wall hangings in offices around the hospital. In my office I have a picture of the facility's old water tower, from the vantage point of "the oval," a green space in which Sylvia set-up shop to paint. She also convened her peer support art groups in the Oval's gazebo before we secured a peer support art room. "When and where ever two shall gather creativity can happen" was one of the mottos by which Sylvia lived.

Sylvia was a tireless advocate, kind spirit and generous creator. She will be sorely missed.

November 16, 2016

Sylvia was always there to capture the moment, always there to refect the best qualities of the peace movement, always there to affirm everyone's efforts to give peace a chance. I will miss her positive energy, beautiful smile, knowledgeable understanding and outlook, her dignified way of sharing the journey to a better world. She was one of a kind because she made everyone she cared about feel just that.

Sylvia, you were a bright light, a sincere voice. such an amazingly beautiful presence in our lives. Hope to see you when my time comes. You make me hope there is an afterlife so I can see you again.

Lewis Randa

Tim

November 16, 2016

If only everybody was like Sylvia, the world would be perfect. My very dear friend, you will be truly missed. The world lost a very special person.

Al Krull

November 16, 2016

I met Sylvia in 2004 through her work providing "Peer Support" to Veterans through creative art groups and as a member of the Bedford, MA. VAMC Veterans Peer Advisory Council.
Her selfless "giving" to others was, in part, one of the reasons I also chose to become a Peer provider.
I have many fond memories working along side Sylvia, bringing hope to those that were without hope.
My condolences to her family and the many that had the chance to know her.

November 14, 2016

Remembering a wonderful, kind woman who gave much to the world by supporting those causes for saving our planet.

Kathy Johnson

November 13, 2016

Sylvia gave so much to the community.... Through the most difficult of circumstances she just kept on... helping those at her side to keep fighting for what they believed was right and kind and loving to the earth and it's inhabitants.... The fight continues and Sylvia will be there in her own way, now.....

November 13, 2016

Many lives were enriched by Sylvia's presence, knowledge, saint-like goodness, energy and beauty. Never a harsh word against anyone but those hurtful to society.
A prolific outstanding artist sketching all important justice events, and oil paintings; and especially for me, silver maple forest themes of animals, birds and children. Her spirit soars above us all. Good-bye Sylvia.

November 10, 2016

Sylvia my good friend. One lovely person.
Maddy McDowell

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