Alma I. Syracuse

ALMA I. SYRACUSE (nee Hayes), age 87; died peacefully June 20, 2011 surrounded by her family and friends; beloved wife for 69 years of the late Sam J.; loving mother of Verna “Dollie” O’Loughlin (husband Joseph J. III), Alma Baur (husband Gary) and Sam J. Jr. (wife Joan); devoted grandmother of Daniel, Sherry and Sandy, Gary, Brian and Mark, Samantha and Angela, great-grandmother of 11 and great-great grandmother of two; dearest daughter of the late Amelia (nee Drachenberg) and Herman Hayes; cherished sister of the late Wanda Coe and Herman Hayes (wife Rosemary); loved aunt, great-aunt and great-great aunt of many.

Alma was very devoted to her family and especially loved her many grandkids. She enjoyed bowling, reading, ballroom dancing and boating with her husband as well as gambling trips, and loved solving cross-word puzzles. Her family describes her as funny, loved by all and very loving, a strict mother in the early years that taught her kids well, a “jokester” and always like her appearance to be well put together.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Alma’s memory to St. Francis of Assisi Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 10 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery.

The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Alma at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) on Friday, June 24, 2011 from 4-8 PM.