CECELIA DELORMIER SYLVESTER

AKWESASNE – Mrs. Cecelia Delormier Sylvester, 96, of 1489 Island Road, Cornwall Island, peacefully passed away Saturday afternoon, May 7, 2016 at her home.

Cecelia was born May 12, 1919 on Cornwall Island, the daughter of the late Peter and Mary "Kaharonkwas" Jocko Delormier and attended an all girl's school in Akwesasne.

Cecelia was a basket maker in Akwesasne before moving to Syracuse, where she worked as a butcher and a private housekeeper for various families in the Syracuse area. Cecelia's greatest passion was for gardening, especially her flowers. She also enjoyed feeding the birds.

She is survived by her children, Mary Montgomery of Syracuse and Thomas and Ann Sylvester, Akwesasne, Ontario; 17 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband David Sylvester on March 26, 1993; her son, John Sylvester in 2002; her sisters, Grace Mitchell, Catherine Dionne, and Louise Cook; and her brothers, Frank, Mike, Angus, Abe, and John Delormier.

Friends called at her home from Wednesday until 12:30 PM Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores celebrating. Cremation will follow.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.