Sylvia A. Pentecost, 101, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born in Deerton, Michigan, on December 5, 1917. She was named after her mother, Sylvia Alanko. Unfortunately, her mother passed when Sylvia was only five years old, leaving behind Sylvia and her two younger sisters, Edith "Dixie" and Norma. Her father, Sigfried Albin Jarvinen, remarried to her stepmother, Lydia, who had three children of her own.

When Sylvia graduated high school, she moved to Chicago to attend college.  There she met her husband, Chris Pentecost, while he was attending Podiatry School. She and Dr. Chris Pentecost were married in Newark, NJ on January 24, 1941.  A year later, she gave birth to her first daughter, Pamela Joy, in February of 1942.  Five years later, she gave birth to her second daughter, Susan Jane, in April of 1947.  Sylvia lived for nearly forty years in Newark with her husband where she also worked for twenty-five years as a secretary with All-State.  After retirement, she and Chris moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1979.

Sylvia was known for her tireless energy and healthy lifestyle.  After moving to Jacksonville, she volunteered at numerous churches and worked in the Thrift Store at Ft. Caroline Methodist Church until she was eighty-seven years old.  She even served as President of her local AARP chapter.  She also found time to exercise two to three times a week at the "Spa Lady," maintaining her fitness.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Chris Pentecost, and her two daughters Pamela Joy Snyder and Susan Jane Pisano.  She was also preceded by her two younger sisters Edith and Norma.  She is survived by her grandchildren:  Glenda Heijnen-Snyder, Barrie Snyder, Jr., Michael Pisano, Debbie Mills-Harmon and Matthew Pisano, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 10:00 am at Fort Caroline Methodist Church, 8510 Fort Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277 with Rev. Eddie Soto officiating.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Arlington Park Cemetary, 6921 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32211 (904) 724-6384. https://www.arlingtonparkfuneralhome.com