Sylvia Ann Howder

Sylvia Ann Howder, 80, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 2:35 p.m., surrounded by her loving family, after a long journey with dementia and a newly diagnosed glioblastoma brain tumor. Born on February 1, 1945, in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, she was the beloved daughter of Roy Samuel Kerstetter and Myrtle Baney. Sylvia grew up in New York, and proudly graduated from Kendall High School with the Class of 1963. In her young adulthood, Sylvia met her lifetime love, Richard Howder. The two were married on April 10, 1965, and together they built an amazing life filled with love, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos. Their marriage was a beautiful example of commitment and devotion that carried them through life’s joys and challenges side by side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her children, Cynthia Deneen Pickering, Tara Marie Gaudette, and Richard Howder Jr.; and her parents. She is survived by her brothers: Samuel Kerstetter Sr., Steve Smith Sr., Kevin Smith, and Kelly Paul Smith. She also leaves behind her loving grandchildren: Erin (Stephen) Rouse, Amanda (Derek) Pickering, Andrew ( April) Pickering, Ashley (Dustin) Kraus, and Jonathan Gaudette; as well as her treasured great-grandchildren: Austin, Arabella, Hunter, and Aidan Rouse; Jaxon and Emberly Pickering; and Quorra and Cooper Kraus. Known affectionately as “Mimi” by her great-grandchildren, she was the heart of her family. Sylvia worked in factory settings for much of her life, including years at Voplex, Duffy-Motts, and Nalge, where she forged lifelong friendships. Outside of work, she loved traveling with her family. Her most cherished place was The Lazy Dutchman, the cabin her father built on Lac du Poisson Blanc in Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Quebec, Canada, where countless summer memories were made. Family was everything to Sylvia. She was known for her kind and radiant smile, her delicious baked pies and cookies, her beautiful flower gardens and her love of a good book. She cherished family gatherings during the holidays, her weekly Sunday suppers, and her famous summer clam bakes that brought friends and loved ones together to make memories. Her faith was very important to her, and she was at peace knowing she would be reunited in Heaven with her husband, children, and loved ones who passed before her. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the incredible nurses, caregivers, and social workers of Shepherd’s Cove Hospice, whose compassion and care brought comfort during her final days. The family would also like to express its gratitude to Branchwater Village Assisted Living in Boaz, Alabama, where Sylvia lived joyfully for almost 2 years before moving in with her granddaughter and family. While there she was surrounded by some of the kindest caregivers and her very special dear friends—especially her Uno group that brought her so much happiness. A Celebration of Life and graveside service will be planned at a later date in New York, where family and friends can gather to honor Sylvia’s life, share stories, and remember her with love.

Sylvia Ann Howder

February 1, 1945 - September 2, 2025