Sylvia Syl H. Bert

Sylvia Ravanel Howard Catalano Bert passed away peacefully at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, of congestive heart failure, with her children by her side. Born in Richmond, Virginia on July 14, 1939, she was predeceased by her parents, Gertrude Virginia Hammond and Barron Carter Howard; her brother Jett Gordon Howard; and son Michael Joseph Catalano. Sylvia is survived by her beloved family: son Joseph Paul Catalano Carol Koehler of Clifton, VA; daughter Laura Barron Catalano of Alexandria, VA; her adoring grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth and Anthony Joseph Catalano of Clifton, VA; sister Helen Howard Horton of St. Petersburg, FL; and brother Guerard Wallace Howard Donna of Melbourne, FL. Syl grew up in a home filled with music, art and literature, as her parents were in radio and television and often hosted named talent. From a young age she was known for her superior singing voice, which was cultivated by her mother, an exceptional artist, pianist and singer who hosted her own radio program in the 1930s. Syl graduated from Thomas Jefferson High, Richmond, Virginia, and attended Richmond Professional Institute Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied fashion design. Sylvia married Anthony Tony Jules Catalano in 1960 and resided in Blacksburg, Virginia, where Tony graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. The couple settled in Triangle, Virginia, where they reared their children, practiced their faith, cultivated life-long friends, and participated in a variety of community organizations for 23 years. Sylvia was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church as a member of the Rosary Altar Society and church choir and as a volunteer working with children with special needs at the church school. She was a passionate and talented floral designer, winning many awards in the Trowel Garden Club. In 1986, Sylvia married Paul Douglas Bert and moved to Providence, Rhode Island. There her creative side flourished as a marketing executive for many years with The Wallace Company, an emblematic jewelry company, and as a florist. Syl opened The Rose Cottage, a quaint boutique on the East Side of Providence, where she sold roses and antiques and served refreshments to friends, acquaintances and passersby, most of who simply stopped by to chat and laugh with her. Sylvia specialized in designing Old English floral arrangements for weddings, deftly pleasing even the most discerning of brides. She returned to her native Virginia in 1998, taking up residence near her daughter in Alexandria. There Sylvia worked in retail fashion sales and then as a nanny to her beloved ?boys? Tucker and P.J. Wolfe. She retired in 2009. She spent her days reading, singing and listening to music, hanging out at the local coffee shop, enjoying her dear friends, traveling and spending time with her family. A devoted mother and grandmother, Sylvia reared her children with an abundance of unconditional love, humor and optimism, which she also gave freely to all she knew and those she only just met. Syl was best known for her vibrancy and loving ways, strength and enduring spirit, beauty and sense of style, radiant smile and hearty laugh, and, of course, being fashionably late. Family will receive friends at Cunningham Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, on Thursday, September 13 from 5:00-8:00pm. The family will hold a Celebration of Life from 6:00-7:15pm and closing prayers will be said from 7:45-8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, Virginia 22172, on Friday, September 14. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:00am and mass will be held at 10:30 am. Interment will be at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22302, at 12:30pm following the service. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph?s Villa for Children, 8000 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227.