Obituary of Sylvia Marie Sutfin

The circle of one life has come to a close in perhaps what may be considered a fitting way: Sylvia Marie (Gerber) Sutfin died February 18 at Hornell Gardens, the nursing home just down the street from where she was born August 7, 1912, at the home of her grandparents (the Haskells) on Canisteo Street in Hornell, NY. She was the daughter of Mary F. (Haskell) Gerber, of Hornell, and Francis J. Gerber, of Dansville. Although she was a long-time resident of Dansville, Sylvia spent her early school years in Hornell, while living with her grandparents, and then her later school years in Dansville where she graduated with the class of 1931. She completed training as a hairdresser at the Harper Method School in Rochester, a profession that she ultimately did not pursue however. On October 15, 1936, she was married to her high school sweetheart, Frederick (Ted) Sutfin, also of Dansville, in St. Patrick's church. For the first 12 years of their marriage, they resided in Niagara Falls where Ted was employed by Kimberly Clark and then the Niagara power company. In 1948, following the death of her father, the original owner and operator of the Sugar Loaf Bakery, Ted and Sylvia moved back to Dansville to take over the business, which by then had moved from Exchange to Main Street. (Many Dansvillians may fondly remember the 5 cent French buns!) A few years later, they decided to give up the bakery so Ted could take over running Mike's Diner, located just across the street. (Other Dansvillians may recall Ted's chili!) Sylvia, somewhat reluctantly but always with good humor, occasionally worked the counters in both the bakery and diner, but left the baking and cooking there to Ted. Her interests revolved around family and home, where she was definitely the chief baker and cook. Her passions included animals (taking in several stray cats & dogs along the way) and music and ballet and fashion. She had been a member first of St. Patrick's, then St. Mary's parish; she was a former member of the Rosary Altar Society, and also served for a time as a Cub Scout den mother. Sylvia was pre-deceased by her husband on February 6, 1989. She is survived by her daughter, Tamara A. Sutfin (Kathleen Wadlow) of CT and NY; by her son, Terry J. (Helen Blum) Sutfin of Vancouver, WA; by her grandson, Timothy Sutfin, granddaughters Karen (Gilbert) Ramirez, Molly (Charles) McNealy, and Amy (Timothy) Durr, all of WA, as well as by nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. There were no calling hours; internment was at Greenmount Cemetery. A memorial will be at the convenience of the family. She so loved all cats and dogs, it would be fitting if any memorial contributions in her name could be made to your local animal shelter. Ref. Hindle Funeral Home, Inc. 271 Main St. Dansville. Online remembrances may be left at HindleFuneralHome.com.