Sylvia Tomash Root

Madison -- Sylvia Tomash Root passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at Sebring Gardens in Madison. Sylvia was born November 4, 1917, in a Jewish shtetl in Russia, daughter of Noah and Malka Erhlich Tomash. In 1920, Sylvia and her family fled the pogroms of Russia and sailed across the ocean to settle in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sylvia met her husband, Morris J. Root, when both were working for the Works Project Administration (WPA) and they were married on December 25, 1938, the only day they had off. One of Sylvia's proudest and fondest memories was working as a secretary for Hubert Humphrey just after the depression, while he was establishing his political career in Minnesota. In 1952, Sylvia and Morris and their three children moved to Highland Park, Illinois where Morrie, a chemical engineer, was instrumental in the beginnings of the aerosol business. Sylvia was actively involved in her community throughout her life. She was a Girl Scout Leader, always involved in the PTA for all three children, and a reliable member of the League of Women Voters and Hadassah. She was a renowned baker, sending boxes of hammentashen through the mail when her children had grown and were living far away. She was also a lifelong opera fan regularly attending both the Lyric and the Metropolitan Opera. She returned to work as a secretary in 1964 and greatly relished the work until her retirement in 1982. Morrie and Sylvia celebrated 48 years of marriage prior to Morrie's death in 1986. From that time until her move to Madison in 2002, Sylvia was an avid bridge player, a world traveler, and a folk dancer. In addition to taking classes at the College of Lake County, Sylvia attended folk dancing classes and was a key member of a folk dancing troupe that gave performances at retirement homes and schools at least monthly. At the urging of her daughter, when her memory began to weaken and she was facing another loss in her family, she moved to Coventry Village in Madison. She was preceded in death by her husband Morris Root, her sister and brother in law, Bee and Joe Topel, her brother and sister in law, Morris and Sadie Tomasch, her own beloved son, Avram David Root, in 1995, and her beloved daughter, Joyce Root Tedlow in 2003. She is survived by her brother and sister in law, Erwin (Its) and Adelle Tomash of California, her daughter and son in law Janice and Norman Sheppard, and her grandson, Noah Sheppard.

In keeping with Jewish tradition Sylvia's body was ritually cleansed and never left alone from the time of her death until her burial 52 hours later. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, October 14 at Cress Funeral Home in Madison and she was buried beside Morrie at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois on October 15, 2009.

Sylvia's family would like to express our abiding gratitude to Jewish Social Services, and especially Francie Smith Saposnik, Louise Goldsmith and Les Goldberg for the spiritual friendship they offered Sylvia while she lived in Madison; to Sylvia's niece; Sylvia Tomasch for travelling from New York for the service and burial; and to all of the staff and caregivers at Coventry Village, Sebring Assisted Care, and Sebring Gardens for the kindness, care, and friendship they offered to Sylvia.

Having supported me, I shall support them. I shall do their duties. I shall keep up the honor and the traditions of my family. I shall make myself worthy of their love and heritage. I shall make offerings dedicating the goodness of my practice to my parents after their death.

Siglaka Sutta: Digha Nikaya 31