Obituary of Ruth Ida Sylvester

Ruth Ida (Waite) Sylvester, of 373 Cole Ave. Jamestown, NY, formerly of 5900 Sylvester Rd., Sinclairville, NY passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2013, in her home. A lifelong Chautauqua County NY resident, Ruth was born August 24, 1912, to George and Clara Norton Wait, on the Wait family farm in the Town of Charlotte, NY. Ruth received her primary education at the one-room school at Pickett's Corners (near the farm), graduated from Cassadaga NY High School and received her teaching degree from the Fredonia Normal School in Fredonia, NY. She began her teaching career teaching in the one room school at Towerville, NY (Gerry, NY 7), from 1932-35 and at Bemis Point, NY (Bemus-Ellery #4) from 1935-1940. From 1941 to 1969, except for a short pause to raise her children, she taught 4th Grade in the Cassadaga Valley Central School system at the Sinclairville Elementary School, Sinclairville, NY. She was also the System Administrator for the Sinclairville Elementary School for one year, at the time of her retirement. Ruth was married to the late James "Lee" Sylvester on March 27, 1937. They resided at 16 Maple Street, Sinclairville for 27 years before moving to the on the Sylvester family farm on Sylvester Road in 1964. Shortly after the death of her husband, she moved to the Jamestown, residing there until her death. Ruth is survived by her four children, James Lee Sylvester of Fairfield, VT, Charles William Sylvester of Sinclairville, NY, Julia S. (Nathan) Wilson of Sinclairville, NY and Sally L. (Thomas) Bartsch of New River, Arizona. and nine grandchildren: David Ray, Amon Sylvester, Brian Steele, David Bartsch, Rudy Haskell, Duncan Wilson, Mitzi Kendrick, Tristan Sylvester and Jazymn Sylvester-Cross, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, J. “Lee” Sylvester Feb. 12, 1991, a sister, Gladys Gens, two brothers, Howard Wait and Gerald Waite. On the Wait side of her family she had 2 brothers and 1 sister, Howard Wait (deceased) 4 nieces, 5 nieces & nephews of Gerald Waite (deceased), and the grandchildren of her sister, Gladys (Carl) Gens (deceased), 1 nephew Richard (deceased). Ruth attended her 100th birthday celebrations on August, 24 and 25, 2012. At which time she was honored by the many students, teaching aids, colleagues and other members of the education community. Her concern for her students and the teaching community was mentioned many times during these celebrations. At Ruth’s celebrations she was also honored by both sides of her family for her long time dedication to both family and friends. Whether as a mother helping her husband to raise 4 children (including helping them to get higher education) or helping her friends and neighbors she was the “glue” that held the joint family together. Her energy, friendship and contributions will be missed by all. There will be no viewing or funeral service. She will be given an American burial with a memorial service held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Sinclairville Free Library in Sinclairville, NY 14782 or the Valley Historical Society, Sinclairville, NY 14782. Arrangements are by Hubert Funeral Home and Cremation Services. You may send a condolence to the family by visiting www.hubertfuneralhome.com. Website by Billie Jean Hubert.