Sylvia Jane Thomas McAleavy
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About Sylvia Jane Thomas McAleavy
Sylvia Jane Thomas McAleavy, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 79. She was born on May 18, 1946, in Findlay, Ohio, to Herbert and Elizabeth Thomas.
Sylvia grew up in a very musical family, performing with her sisters in a quartet. Throughout her life, she became an accomplished pianist and organist. She was a graduate of Lima Senior High School, where she was a cheerleader, played the flute in concert and marching bands, and served as President of Cygnets, a synchronized swimming group. Sylvia continued her education at The Ohio State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree. At OSU, she was President of the Tri Delta collegiate sorority and the first person to serve two consecutive terms as a National Field Secretary for the sorority. Her leadership extended to the “Block O” cheer section at OSU, where she was instrumental in relocating the section to a strategic position in the Horseshoe Stadium to cheer on her beloved Buckeye football team.
In 1971, Sylvia met Tom McAleavy, and they were married at the Air Force Academy Chapel on July 14, 1973, recently celebrating 52 wonderful years together. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sylvia and Tom made their homes in Colorado, Ohio, Maryland, Texas, Utah, and finally Arizona. They were blessed with three children: Heather Elizabeth (Berkeley), Sean Thomas (Lyssa), and Kristen Jane (Kelly), and 13 grandchildren, all of whom she cherished as their number one supporter at their events and activities.
A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Sylvia found immense joy in serving in various callings, including three service and military relations missions alongside her husband. She frequently served as the Ward organist and Primary Pianist throughout her life. She particularly loved her Stake & Ward callings leading Young Women and Primary.
Sylvia was a proud American and a strong supporter of the armed forces. She was a true leader and gifted teacher, embodying strong will, determination, and an ability to influence others. Sylvia was spirited in all she did and always touched everyone she encountered, never meeting a stranger. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome and special. Known to many as a passionate, loyal, and diehard Ohio State Buckeye fan, her enthusiasm was infectious.
Sylvia was also deeply blessed with a large extended family, including her three sisters, Carol Miller (Steve), Joyce Bulger, and Gloria Rowell (Bill), six nieces and nephews, cousins, and many “adoptive” family members, including foster children and sponsoring midshipmen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Thomas.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for the tremendous care Sylvia received in the final weeks of her life.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 9:30 -11:00 am PST, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am PST at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 8161 S Power Rd, Queen Creek. All are invited to attend.
Sossaman Estates Ward is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting for those unable to attend in person:
https://zoom.us/j/97989105687?pwd=F3mfdwrrO3b3ojyOvBKIQFE1tUAyfI.1
Meeting ID: 979 8910 5687
Passcode: 555759
This Zoom meeting will start on Saturday, August 2nd at 11:30 am Pacific time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization Sylvia believed in – Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org/donate/).
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
9 comments
Lauren Melling and Ted UK
Deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and prayers.
suzanne
Thanks for allowing Jeremy and I to be with you for the memorial service for Sylvia via zoom. You all did a wonderful job despite the emotions you were feeling. Since we could only meet your family on rare occasions, it was enlightening to learn all the beautiful attributes of Sylvia. I know how much she meant to all of you, And I also know how proud she was of all of you.
Much love– Sue, Jeremy Sarah Thomas and families.
Janell Raica
I am going to miss Sylvia so much! I have loved reading the comments on Facebook and condolences here about Sylvia. All her family and friends point to her sense of humor and that too is what I will remember the most as well. She had the funniest lines and two of my favorite were..when she would refer to something that she needed to say but said it in a “nice” way she would say and “I said it in my please pass the butter voice”. And she would often say with all her dramatics “oh folks” or “hold on folks” when she was surprised by something or thought something was funny. And that laugh of hers….she is the best!!!!
She had such a gift for connecting with people and staying in touch. She was always serving or loving on someone.
Love you Sylvia, you will be sooooo missed!!
Linda and Roger Metcalf
Dear Tom and Family,
Linda and I offer our deepest condolences. We so enjoyed your visit to New York, while on our mission. Sylvia was a beautiful Mother of the Bride at Heather’s reception! Heather has been such a wonderful forever friend to Amy. We love you all and hope you are comforted at this time.
Janice Micha
I was so sorry to learn of Sylvia passing. The Thomas and Micha families shared many wonderful times together. We all went to the same church and schools. Once a year our mothers would take us to Columbus to go shopping at Lazarus for the day to buy a few new school outfits. I always loved seeing what Sylvia would choose and I remember once she bought a new hat and purse I loved! Whenever we would all get together as a family, Sylvia was there to greet us, share her wonderful sense of humor and contagious laugh. She was always so easy to be around and showed a genuine interest in others. She touched so many lives and was always willing to go the extra mile to offer her help. Her talents will be missed her on earth, but I’m sure she is in heaven organizing a choir and being hugged by her parents.
Hariet Abiola
She was my service missionary to BYU Pathway. She was kind, loving, caring, a good sense of humor and strong even when sick. We kept in touch even after my program, she bragged about me with friends and families and so did I because she was amazing! We shared picture of our activities with each other and that was our way of being present in each other’s lives. She was indeed a strong woman, who likes to get things done herself even when sick. I remember when she had her shoulder replacement surgery done and she was in pain but couldn’t get things done herself like driving etc she was overwhelmed because that’s not what she’s used to. She doesn’t like the idea of inconveniencing anyone to get things done…she kinda a workaholic (with a smile) I guess Thats why she never wanted people to know she was sick. I’m forever going to miss her but I know she’s in a better place free from pain and suffering.
Farewell Sis Sylvia
Forever in our hearts
Betty Forsyth
She was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed. We both grew up in Ohio, attending Lima Senior, where we shared our love of music in the band and orchestra. When she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where I was living at the time, we continued our close relationship and she was one of my bridesmaids at my wedding. She also was an accompanist for some of my vocal students. We kept in contact when she moved and we would always go to conference, a musical performance or lunch when she
returned to SLC for a visit. She was very kind and caring and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed.
Kathy and Larry Landry
We honor Sylvia and her life with you all and send love and peace to you. She was fortunate to have known such love from her husband and family. You are in our hearts. Kathy and Larry
Cathy Glasson
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful obituary. She sounds like the most amazing lady. Sending love to you all.