Sylvia Alexandria Vaz (Constantine) died Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Coyne Healthcare Center in Rockland. after a long illness. She was 85. Born in New York City, the daughter of the late Alma and Osmond Constantine.
Mrs Vaz graduated from Holy Cross High School in Manhatten and Fairleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck, N.J.
Mrs Vaz was a nursery school teacher in Leonia New Jersey in the 1960's. She also taught elementary school in Hackensack, New Jersey in the 1970’s. Her interest and research in holistic medicine led her to speak on television programs about the benefits of vitamins and health foods. She also taught classes to help people stop smoking.
Mrs Vaz had many interests and talents. She loved sewing and painting. Several of her oil paintings received awards in art shows. Before her move to Duxbury in 2002 she lived in Carolina Lakes, North Carolina where she was a eucharistic minister and communicant.
Beloved wife of the late Noel Vaz. She leaves her son Martin Vaz of Foster City, CA and three daughters, Maryanne Toale, and her husband John, of Westwood, New Jersey, Diane Beres, and her husband John, of Galloway, New Jersey, and Barbara Lehman, and her husband Roger, of Duxbury. She also leaves nine grandchildren Mich ael Lehman, Kimberly Meredith and her husband Brett , Matthew Lehman and his wife, Tracy ,Jennifer Beres, Kara Beres, Justin Beres, Sean Toale, Peter Toale, Sean Vaz, and three Great grand children Brendan Meredith, Brooke Meredith, and Shaelynn Lehman.
Beloved sister of the late Vincent Constantine, Oswald Constantine, Randolf Constantine, and Gladys Sinclair. She is survived by one brother, Morris Constantine of Arizona and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 4th at 9am at Holy Family Church in Rockland. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Sylvia's memory to the Residents Activity Fund at Coyne Healthcare Center 56 Webster Street Rockland Ma 02370.