Sylvia E (Anderton) Dowling

Sylvia Elizabeth Dowling, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and dedicated educator, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 3, 2025, at the age of 81, in Pleasantville, Pennsylvania.

She was born on September 6, 1943, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late John J. Anderton and Jeanne (Wolfkiel) Anderton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frank and Sylvia (Palmer) Wolfkiel; paternal grandparents Joseph and Elizabeth (Judy) Anderton; brother Douglas Anderton; and sister Andrea Reed.

Sylvia married Patrick J. Dowling on August 5, 1967 at St. Joseph's Church in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of Pleasantville.

She is also survived, and will be deeply missed, by her children Jennifer A. Dowling of Madison, VA, Patrick J. Dowling II and wife Michele of Warrenton, VA, Emily J. Dowling of Gainesville, VA; grandchildren Nia E. Dowling of Madison, VA, Mason P. Dowling and Ireland M. Dowling of Warrenton, VA; siblings John J. Anderton Jr. and wife Judy of Oil City, Mark Anderton of Oil City, and Amanda Bonar and husband John of TN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gail (Dowling) Farley and husband Harold Dennis of Naples, FL, Michael Dowling and wife Sandra of Titusville, and Gregory Dowling and wife Connie of Lancaster, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sylvia was a graduate of Oil City High School, class of 1961. She attended Clarion Teachers College, now Clarion University, where she earned a dual bachelor's degree in English and Library Science.

After graduation, she worked for the Butler Area School District in Slippery Rock and the Titusville Area School District. She returned to work after raising her three children and was employed by the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville as a librarian and then returned to the Titusville Area School District, teaching library science to elementary and middle school children until retiring in 2006.

Sylvia's life was one of service, passion for learning, and gentle kindness. She will be remembered for her beauty inside and out, her warmth, and her love for family. She was a member of the St. Titus Church, the Titusville Garden Club, the Women's Club of Pleasantville, the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department Women's Auxiliary, and the Quilting Guild of Polk.

Sylvia had a rich array of passions—she appreciated life's simple, yet deeply fulfilling pleasures. She loved nature, from birdwatching and the beach, to photographing sunsets and gardening. Going on rides in the country was something she looked forward to weekly. Sylvia enjoyed making macramé pieces and quilts—she liked to clarify she sewed every stitch by hand and never used a sewing machine. She got a great deal of satisfaction from introducing people to reading and volunteered well into her retirement. Some of her volunteerism included the Early Childhood Learning Center and the Franklin Library, nurturing others, especially young people.
Antiquing, baking and candy making, word searches, and board games were some of her favorite pastimes. Her message to "keep the faith" was a guiding principle she wanted to pass on—it was her way of reminding us to remain hopeful, persistent, and trusting, no matter the circumstances. She lived her life with great compassion, spreading love, learning, and creativity to those around her. Sylvia was the embodiment of patience and grace.

Sylvia will be deeply missed but her legacy of love, learning, and dedication to others will live on forever.

At her request, services were held privately for the immediate family. The interment was at Fairview Cemetery in Pleasantville.

Memorial contributions may be made to www.stjude.org/donate.



 

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