Rosalind A. Sylvester

Rosalind A. “Rosie” Sylvester, 83, passed away May 29, 2021 at Community Hospital South. She was born October 20, 1937, in Indianapolis to the late Russell and Marie (Reed) Hodson. Rosie graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1955. She married Jerry Sylvester on June 1, 1957, at Holy Name Catholic Church. She returned to college in the late 1970s, attending IUPUI.

A devout Catholic, Rosie retired from Holy Name Church after 25 years as parish secretary. Serving the Holy Name community became the true passion of her life. Rosie organized the Giving Tree program providing Christmas gifts to needy families, she helped launch and guide the parish’s St Vincent De Paul Society, and did all she could to help anyone who walked through the parish office doors. She was a past president of the St. Vincent De Paul Society and member of the Altar Society, the Holy Name Women’s Choir, and the Holy Name Women’s Bowling League. She also was a member of the Ave Maria Guild.

Prior to her employment at Holy Name, Rosie worked over 20 years at Farm Bureau Co-op in downtown Indianapolis, rising from the secretarial pool to become a merchandising manager. She was an excellent musician with a gift for playing the piano and singing everything from show tunes to holiday classics, entertaining many family members and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosemarie (Bob) Kelly; granddaughter, Allison Kelly; and sister, Marilyn (John) Jarvis. She was preceded in death by the love her life, Jerry Sylvester, and her parents.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 3, 2021, 5 to 8 p.m. at the O’Riley Funeral Home, where morning prayers will be said at 9:45 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2021. The Mass of Christian Bural will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Beech Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or St. Paul Hermitage. Visit www. O’RileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.