Sylvia Proud

POWNAL- Sylvia May Proud, 78, a resident of Pownal, Vermont passed away on February 23rd, 2023 following a long illness. She was born in North Adams, Massachusetts on July 7th, 1944 to the late Nellie May Harris and Wilfred B. Barbeau-Proud. Sylvia attended Pownal Elementary School before graduating from Williamstown High School in the class of 1962. She then attended SUNY Albany, where she received her Master’s in Librarianship. Sylvia was employed at the MCLA Library for 38 years. She was also a member of the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women Sylvia was a very proud resident of Pownal. She never moved from the family home that she was raised in, and loved being able to live in nature. Birdwatching and keeping an eye out for other wildlife was one of her favorite hobbies. During her life, she took great pride in the property, perfecting the landscaping and the gardening. She loved to look at the springtime flowers, holding a particular fondness for the irises and crocuses. She grew an extensive vegetable garden, including a surplus of asparagus plants that have continued to multiply over the years. Sylvia loved to make homemade applesauce and pies from her apple trees. Her favorite thing to make was strawberry shortcake, specifically for her birthday, with homemade, handwhipped whipped cream. Sylvia also loved to travel. She travelled as snowbird with her longtime partner George Bishop to Florida for many years, and those were memories that she cherished dearly. In later years, Sylvia travelled to Alaska with her niece Leona on a 14 day cruise. They also travelled to England, where they made sure to see as many castles as they could. She also spent time travelling all around the United States. Sylvia is survived by her nieces and nephews, Leona G. Ward, Tanya Harrington (Leverette), H. D. Seager, Douglas Seager, and Paula Seager. She is also survived by Tanya’s sons, Jacob Paul White (Amy) and Dakota James White (Jade), and Tanya’s grandchildren, Dawson White and Faith Marie White. Sylvia was predeceased by her former partner, George Bishop, a sister, Pauline R. Seager, a nephew-in-law Jeffrey J. Ward, and a sister, Priscilla G. Goddard. A graveside service for Sylvia will be held at 11:00am on April 1st, 2023 in the family lot at Oakhill Cemetery, in Pownal Vermont. Following the service, friends and family are invited to the Pownal Methodist Church for a celebration of Sylvia’s Life. Should friends desire, memorial donations in Sylvia’s honor may be made to any charity that you wish, through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201. Some charities that were important to Sylvia are: the Higher Education Fund, ASPCA, National Wildlife Federation, the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Fund, Second Chance Animal Shelter, and the Pownal Methodist Church. Online guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net