Sylvia Stickney, previously of Holliston, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2023. She is predeceased by her best friend and husband of 43 years, William (Bill) F. Stickney, as well as her siblings, Edward Cooney of Marion, MA and Nancy Mahoney of Muskegon, MI. Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Susan McSweeney Campbell, her son-in-law, Thomas F. Campbell and her cherished grandson, Derek T. Campbell. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Harvey, many treasured nieces and nephews, beloved grand nieces and nephews as well as countless friends from Holliston and beyond. 

Sylvia spent her career employed by the New England Telephone Company in a variety of managerial positions. She was in charge of directory assistance offices in Boston and Framingham, but her favorite job was at the training center in Marlboro, MA where she taught public speaking in addition to other classes. 

Sylvia would likely consider her greatest accomplishments to be in her role as wife, mother and grandmother. The town of Holliston might have a slightly different perspective. Sylvia was actively involved in many town activities. In 1993, she and three others were the founders of the Holliston Pantry Shelf, a food pantry which today continues to grow and serve the families of Holliston. The following year, Sylvia was honored as Woman of the Year at the Celebrate Holliston festivities. Mrs. Stickney has also been honored at the State House as one of Massachusetts’ top senior citizen volunteers and as one of the TAB newspaper’s “People of the Year”. She was elected to a term on the Housing Authority when she was in her mid 80s! In addition to the aforementioned town activities and honors, Mrs. Stickney also gave her time and energy to the Holliston Historical Society, the annual Gifts for Giving, Bay Path Advisory Council and Evaluation Committee and Holliston’s 275th Anniversary Store. Other awards she has received include The Golden Torch Award from the National Honor Society and the Good Scout award from the Boy Scouts. 

Sylvia will be remembered as a kind and giving individual who always put the needs of others above herself as well as someone whose brownies and apple pie were the best in town.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 24th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com Burial will be private. Please consider wearing a hat in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia’s honor to the Holliston Pantry Shelf, the Alzheimer’s Association or a Holliston based organization of your choosing.