Sylvia Keely

Sylvia Wanda Keely passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 6, 2016 at the age of 80, surrounded by friends and family.

Sylvia was born on April 17th 1936 in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Witold and Wanda (Dlugolenski) Malecki. The family moved to Ann Arbor where Sylvia graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1954 with a Regents-Alumni Honor Award from the University of Michigan and went on to graduate from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in 1958. Sylvia was affiliated with the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She went on to teach school in Ann Arbor and further on to teach school for U.S. Army military dependents in Aschaffenburg, Germany during the Cold War.

In 1969 the family moved to Traverse City. For many years Sylvia was a member of the American Association of University Women and served on the Board in several positions. She retired from Munson Medical Center in 1999.

More recently Sylvia has been a volunteer Learning Partner with the Probate Court system where she tutored elementary students. She was also a member of the Literacy Council and had served on the Board.

Most important in her life were family and friends. She enjoyed many years of playing Bridge with close friends.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Frederick James Malecki.

She is survived by her sons Scott (Heather) Keely and Steven (Kristel) Keely, sister Mary Ann (Rick) Randall of Ludington, sister-in-law Nancy Malecki of Suttons Bay, and nieces Karen (Bill) Gardner and Diane (Erik) Luxhoj. Of special significance is her grandson Logan (son of Scott and Heather) and her faithful canine companions McDuff and Cammi.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life luncheon will be held from 11am-1pm on Thursday September 15th at Grace Episcopal Church, 341 Washington Street in Traverse City. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or the Cherryland Humane Society.

Please visit Sylvia’s personalized page at www.lifestorytc.com to sign the online guestbook or to leave a message, memory or thought. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.