Estelle Sylvester entered the eternal kingdom of peace on June 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. "Stelle", as she was known to those who knew and loved her, was the only child and daughter of the late Albert J. and Pauline (Bessette) Lafond. Estelle was the loving wife of Frank M. Sylvester (Ret. Chief LRFD) for 67 years. She was the dedicated mother of three daughters ~ Gale Sylvester DeMello of Estero, FL, Magistrate Judge Sandra Sylvester, Esq. (Lyman Hunter) of Woodbridge, VA, and Donna Laliberte (Francis) of Pawtucket, RI. She was the proud grandmother of Kasey O'Keefe (Ryan) of Foxboro, MA and Karly Rae Laliberte of Pawtucket, RI and Boston, MA.  She was recently predeceased by her son-in-law, Antone (Tony) DeMello, Jr.

Estelle was born on January 16,1933; she was blessed to have celebrated her 90th birthday with her entire family by her side at a gathering in her home this past January. During that occasion, both she and her husband were presented with a very special gift from their granddaughter, Kasey, and her husband, Ryan. It was a sonogram picture of their soon-to-be first great grandchild, expected to arrive this August.

Estelle was a National Honor Society graduate from Sacred Heart High School in Pawtucket where she excelled academically. She was involved in numerous extracurricular activities as a pianist, dancer, and a majorette leading many of our city's parades. Upon graduation, Estelle went on to attend Aviation Training School in Boston. It was shortly thereafter that she traded in her career in aviation to become a wife and mother; those were the jobs that gave her the utmost fulfillment, pleasure, and pride. While all three of her daughters were in elementary school, Estelle couldn't sit still and she decided to enter the working world. She followed her children to JC Potter Elementary School where she became the principal's administrative assistant. She continued in that role for twenty-two years until she ultimately moved on to work in the same capacity for the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the city of Pawtucket. It was during these working years that her proficiency as a superior typist led her to assist her husband and daughters with whatever projects they needed to have typed for their higher educational classes. The family often jokes that Stelle had more diplomas than her husband and children combined.

After her retirement, Estelle continued to play an active role in the lives of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She would often be found supporting her husband in his career by organizing events for his various leadership positions or cheering on her granddaughters at their swim meets, softball games, and tennis matches.

Estelle was steadfast in her faith as a Catholic woman, which was evidenced by her bedroom mirror covered in prayer cards. She was a quiet woman of faith and humility and will be dearly missed by all who were a part of her world.

Services to celebrate her life will begin with calling hours on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Costigan-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM in St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Church, 358 Newport Avenue, also in Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care , 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 would be greatly appreciated as the care they provided Estelle was beyond measure. Donations may also be made to St. Cecelia School , 755 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861, or to a charity of one's choice.