1932 - 2024
OBITUARY
May Ellen Wing Sylvester, age 91, long time resident of Brooklyn, and South Hempstead, NY, died peacefully July 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born November 3, 1932, to the late James and Mary Shay (Nee O’Connor), she was the eldest of 5 children. She retired from the New York Telephone company (aka NYNEX and Verizon) after more than 2 decades of service.
May was a remarkable woman known for her strength, kindness, humor and sharp wit. A proud Irishwoman with a backbone of iron, she overcame many challenges throughout her life. During a 5-year span in the 1960’s, May lost a son to a heart defect, both parents in their early 50’s and her first love, husband Alfred, and was suddenly a single mother of 4 children. Doing what she always did, she survived!! All knew her as fiercely protective of her children and family. She was blessed to have met her 2nd husband Peter who also had 4 children. They then went on to have 2 children of their own to make one big, beautiful and sometimes crazy family of 12. Fast forward 56 years later and all 10 children are alive and thriving and deeply thankful for what she did for them.
May is survived by her 10 children: Alfred/Maureen Wing, Paul/Linda Sylvester, Patrick/Susan Sylvester, Ellen/Ray McCourt, Christine DeChiaro, Carol/Larry Salvato, Carolyn/John Kelly, Michael Jude/Jeanine Wing, Kathryn/Greg Neary, and Peter/Niamh Sylvester; her adoring 27 grandchildren: Jeanne, Eileen, Elizabeth, Alfred, Raymond, Michelle, Elizabeth, Caroline, Jacqueline, Kathryn, John, Callahan, Cayden, Charlie, Connor, Emily, Lauren, Matthew, Grace, Kelly Ann, Ashley, Peter, Patrick, Caitlin, Paul, Samantha, Alex; her 16 great grandchildren: Raegan, Ava, Gavin, William, Julie, Emma, James, Olivia, Violet, Liam, Madison, Charlotte, Garrett, Maggie, Thomas, Jordan; siblings: Audrey/Jerry McKinney and Dr. Kathleen Cashin; predeceased by husbands: Alfred Wing and Peter Sylvester; son: Michael James Wing; siblings: James Shay and Margaret Jansen; sons in law: Neil Buckley and Frank DeChiaro. May was a devoted Catholic her whole life and was a long-time parishioner of St Jerome’s, St Brendan’s, Good Shepherd and St. Raymond’s.
Our hearts are broken to have lost this amazing soul. While she will be missed dearly, her life and legacy will forever be celebrated.
VISITATION
Tuesday, August 6
2:00 - 4:00 PM & 7:00 - 9:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Wednesday, August 7
11:15 am
St. Aidan's R.C. Church
505 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, NY
INTERMENT
Long Island National Cemetery
2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS
Please make donations in May’s name to
Plattduetsche Home Society