1929
Sylvia
2017
Sylvia Rhodes Harrison
March 5, 1929 — March 13, 2017
Sylvia Rhodes Harrison died peacefully on March 13, 2017, one week after celebrating her 88th birthday.
Born in New Rochelle, New York to the late Mary and Philip L. Rhodes, Sylvia grew up and remained in nearby Pelham Manor for her entire life. In 1950, she met Carl Harrison, Jr. on a fortuitous blind date which led to their marriage in 1952. They spent 39 happy years together and raised three children, Scott, Doug and Diane.
Sylvia, affectionately known to all as Sibby, attended grade school in Pelham, prepped at The Emma Willard School and received her Bachelor's Degree from Denison University in Ohio.
In addition to raising her family with Carl, Sibby was a tireless volunteer donating her time and energy to various organizations in Pelham. While acting as Vice President and Treasurer of the International Garden Club, she oversaw the renovation of the Historic Carriage House at the Bartow-Pell Mansion. Sibby was also President of the Junior League of Pelham where she brought Meals on Wheels to the area for those in need and created a local civic organization, Pride in Pelham. In 1972 she spearheaded the establishment of The Pelham Day Care Center which has since grown from a small childcare program to one that continues to thrive today as The Pelham Children's Center.
A gifted chef, Sibby loved to entertain her many friends and could often be found in the kitchen testing new recipes and sharing her favorites. She operated her own catering business for a number of years and was the editor of the Garden Club cookbook Mansion Menus. Sibby approached cooking and entertaining with enthusiasm and creativity and was happiest enjoying a good meal in the company of those she loved.
Her passion for the Explorers Club in the 7th grade was the spark that ignited her lifelong love of travel and her fascination with archaeology. She traveled the world extensively with friends and family and participated in historic archaeological digs in Europe.
An accomplished golfer, tennis player and bunny slope skier, she was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, generosity and enjoying many laughs with all of those whose lives she touched.
Sibby is survived by her children Scott Harrison and Shelley of Darien, CT, Doug Harrison and Joan of Stamford, CT, Diane Harrison of Jamestown, RI and grandchildren Elizabeth Gupta-Harrison and husband Shankar, and Kate Brown and husband Ted.
There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of Sylvia's life at 12 noon on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Huguenot Memorial Church, 901 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham Manor, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to The Manor Club in Pelham Manor, NY or the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.
(www.themanorclubofpelham.org) (www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/).
Born in New Rochelle, New York to the late Mary and Philip L. Rhodes, Sylvia grew up and remained in nearby Pelham Manor for her entire life. In 1950, she met Carl Harrison, Jr. on a fortuitous blind date which led to their marriage in 1952. They spent 39 happy years together and raised three children, Scott, Doug and Diane.
Sylvia, affectionately known to all as Sibby, attended grade school in Pelham, prepped at The Emma Willard School and received her Bachelor's Degree from Denison University in Ohio.
In addition to raising her family with Carl, Sibby was a tireless volunteer donating her time and energy to various organizations in Pelham. While acting as Vice President and Treasurer of the International Garden Club, she oversaw the renovation of the Historic Carriage House at the Bartow-Pell Mansion. Sibby was also President of the Junior League of Pelham where she brought Meals on Wheels to the area for those in need and created a local civic organization, Pride in Pelham. In 1972 she spearheaded the establishment of The Pelham Day Care Center which has since grown from a small childcare program to one that continues to thrive today as The Pelham Children's Center.
A gifted chef, Sibby loved to entertain her many friends and could often be found in the kitchen testing new recipes and sharing her favorites. She operated her own catering business for a number of years and was the editor of the Garden Club cookbook Mansion Menus. Sibby approached cooking and entertaining with enthusiasm and creativity and was happiest enjoying a good meal in the company of those she loved.
Her passion for the Explorers Club in the 7th grade was the spark that ignited her lifelong love of travel and her fascination with archaeology. She traveled the world extensively with friends and family and participated in historic archaeological digs in Europe.
An accomplished golfer, tennis player and bunny slope skier, she was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, generosity and enjoying many laughs with all of those whose lives she touched.
Sibby is survived by her children Scott Harrison and Shelley of Darien, CT, Doug Harrison and Joan of Stamford, CT, Diane Harrison of Jamestown, RI and grandchildren Elizabeth Gupta-Harrison and husband Shankar, and Kate Brown and husband Ted.
There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of Sylvia's life at 12 noon on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Huguenot Memorial Church, 901 Pelhamdale Avenue, Pelham Manor, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to The Manor Club in Pelham Manor, NY or the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.
(www.themanorclubofpelham.org) (www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org/).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvia Rhodes Harrison, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Huguenot Memorial Church
Guestbook
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