Strength comes from experience and perseverance. And strength comes from love.  And Sylvia Bourdeau embodied all of those, right up until her last breath, finding eternal peace on Sunday, January 7, 2023 in the loving care of her family.

Born in Schenectady 79 years ago on November 5, 1944 to Hattie (Anthony) and David Bourdeau, Sylvia grew up in Schoharie and began her own family early on and she could not be a better example of a fighting spirit, with a zest for life.  She never missed an opportunity to cut a rug and could often be heard singing, a little off key but full of heart, to her favorite music.  As fiery and peppery as her tongue could be, allowing her to stand her ground and speak her mind, is just as soft, gentle and caring as she could be the rest of the time.  Whether to the beautiful flowers in her gardens, to the patients at Robinson Terrace where she worked as a CNA for many years, to the many generations of her family and to generations of others in the community, who lovingly and adoringly called her "Gram,"  Sylvia's experiences, perseverance, strength of spirit and love will be cherished forever by her daughters: Robin (David) Hagadorn of Middleburgh, Wendy (Jim) McBain of Cobleskill; her son: Roger "Boydie" (Val) Lawyer, Jr. of Middleburgh; her sister: Vivian Rabinoff of Mariaville; her grandchildren: Nicole Porter, Alexis Kuhn, Erick (Harley) Kenney, Jacob Kenney, Michaela Lawyer, Renee Lawyer, Justin Goodrich, BillyJo (Sally) Bender, Jennifer (Josh) Dedrick, Samantha Kenney, April Mickle, Brett Mickle, Katy Mickle, Cassidie Higgins; many great and great-great-grandchildren.  Sylvia's spirit joins her daughters: Shelly Marie Mickle, Terry Lynn Porter; her son: Scott Edward Mickle; grandsons: Randy "RJ" Kenney, Jr., Lucas Higgins; great-grandson: Steven Donald Kuhn; her parents and her brother: Gerald Young and her nephew: Mark Exstrom, who all predeceased her.

A visitation for family and friends is being planned and details will be shared when finalized.

In keeping with her wishes, when her favorite flowers are blooming again this spring in her garden, Sylvia's urn, which matches those of her daughter and grandson, will be laid to rest in the Middleburgh Cemetery and her family and friends will gather again to continue celebrating her life.