Happy Birthday!!!!
For most people a birthday comes once a year. For Sylvia Roark a birthday came about as often as a Presidential election. So once every four years Sylvia got to truly blow out her candles. But fear not, Sylvia celebrated each and every year in true “leap baby” fashion. With a wide grin and cheery eyes Sylvia learned to love and cherish each day with those around her. For all of her 84 years in fact Sylvia really only turned 21! She was undoubtedly Woonsocket’s coolest and most experienced 21-year old.
Sylvia Alice Miclette came kicking and screaming into the world on Saturday February 29, 1936. She was the only baby born in Woonsocket on that day. Her proud parents were the late Arthur and Agnes (Lafrenaye) Miclette. Sylvia was raised in Woonsocket alongside her siblings Robert Miclette, Rita Savard, Theresa Ezovski and Jeannette Desrosiers all of who have passed. Sylvia was the last of the Miclette Mohicans.
After graduation from high school Sylvia attended Sawyer School of Business. She was employed in her earlier years in the local textile industry at Falls Yarn and PEI Corp. In later years she worked for the former Big Joe’s Steakhouse on Clinton Street and later for the State of Rhode Island with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and as a certified nursing assistant. In her retirement years she also worked at Dunkin Donuts.
Sylvia loved to play softball and was a member of several local teams. As an Ocean State resident Sylvia treasured being near the shore and spending fun days at the beach. A highlight of Sylvia’s leap year birthdays was a special feature article about her in the Woonsocket Call several years ago. She was first featured in The Call for her “First True Birthday” which was on February 29, 1940. Affectionately known as “Syl” or as “Ma” and “Mem” Sylvia cherished being with her family.
Sylvia is survived by her children Cynthia “Cindy” Thayer and her husband Scott of Woonsocket and Judith L. “Judy” Dunn and her husband Kevin of North Smithfield, Brian Larson and his wife Deborah of Ohio and Philip A. Larson, Sr. of Narragansett. She was the loving Mem of her 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. Sylvia was the loving mother of the late Clifford A. “Cliff” Larson who passed away in 2010.
Sylvia’s Mass of Christian Burial was at St. James Church in Manville. She will be laid to rest at Precious Blood Cemetery, alongside her beloved son Cliff and her parents, in the Miclette family lot. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Sylvia’s memory may be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI. 02904. Arrangements are in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket.
www.menardfuneralhome.com