Michelanne Sylvester

Michelanne Sylvester was born March 11, 1953, to Phil and Fran Ryan. She grew up in Manchester, VT with her sisters Nelle and Sharon and her brother Patrick. She graduated from BBS in 1970. She continued her education earning a degree in Theater Arts from Castleton State College. She married and lived in Arlington raising a beautiful family of three children Erick, Kurt and Laura. Helping people was her calling and her career. She worked tirelessly for the state helping clients find housing, food and needed support. She loved kids. She worked as a preschool teacher, a para-educator, and a substitute teacher. Just last week, Michelanne was doing what she enjoyed the most, teaching and nurturing kids. Michelanne loved her 5 grandchildren. There was literally nothing she wouldn’t do for them. From running to the store for snacks to cheering them on at games. She attended every sporting event and concert she could. She could be counted on to have the ingredients to bake blueberry muffins and chocolate chip cookies with them. She enjoyed taking the four oldest ones Avrie, Mia, Madison, and Caitlin overnight at a hotel with a swimming pool. She had a very special relationship with the youngest, Brooks who loved to spend time playing with toys, watching movies, singing Disney songs and cuddling with his grandmother. She loved being a grandmother. Michelanne enjoyed working on her home, filling it with flowers and other things of beauty. She loved her family dogs and got a new puppy for her latest birthday. Michelanne had a beautiful singing voice and loved singing in the church choir. She took every opportunity to go dancing, especially with her brother, Patrick. Her favorite places to be were at the ocean or at Disney World. Michelanne left us too suddenly and left a hole in the hearts of all who loved her. She is survived by Bill Sylvester her husband and love of her life for the last 27 years, her son Erick Ericksen and his partner Tina Cascone and their daughters, Madison and Caitlin. She is also survived by her son, Kurt and his wife, Maggie and daughter Laura and son-in-law Doug Aldrich and their children, Avrie, Mia, and Brooks. She will be missed by Connie Hawley who Michelanne enjoyed a long friendship with, as well as many long walks. Her brother, Patrick with his wife Karen, her sister Nelle with her husband Neil and her sister Sharon cannot believe she is gone. She leaves nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews and her uncle. Michelanne was predeceased by her parents, many aunts, and uncles and her brother-in-law Bernie Henault. Even in death Michelanne thought of others and was an organ donor. Funeral services will be held Friday June 9, 2023 at 3pm at the First Baptist Church in Manchester. A visiting hour at the church will be held from 2-3pm one hour prior to the service. A celebration of life will follow at the home of her daughter Laura 193 Sandgate Road in Arlington. If friends desire memorial gifts in Michelanne’s memory may be made to the National Diabetes Foundation or the American Kidney Foundation, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home Arlington Chapel P.O. Box 528 Arlington, VT 05250.To send the family personal condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home Arlington Chapel Historic Route 7A Arlington, VT.