Sylvia Jean Desautels, 70, of Pittsfield, MA, born on January 17, 1944, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 22, 2014 at Redstone Rehab and Nursing Center, East Longmeadow, MA. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Eugenie (LaFramboise) Desautels. She was raised, lived, and worked in Pittsfield for over sixty years of her life. Sylvia was a graduate of Notre Dame Grammar School and St. Joseph Catholic Central High School, Class of 1961.
Sylvia worked over thirty years at Berkshire Community College, she was an Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Nursing for many of those thirty years. She was a well-known employee of the college and was loved not only by her colleagues, but by the students who attended the college as well.
Prior to starting her work at Berkshire Community College, Sylvia worked for ten years at Berkshire Life Insurance Company. In 1971 Sylvia went abroad to L:ondon, England and she worked there for six months. She stayed with a family in London and she developed a life-long friendship with their daughter Leslie.
Sylvia was remarkable for her outgoing nature, she always put others before herself. Sylvia touched people's lives in a positive way. She had so much love for God and her family, especially her mother whom she lived with and cared for until her mother's death in 1989.
A favorite past time for Sylvia was skiing! During the winter months, one could always find Sylvia skiing at Jiminy Peak. Sylvia skied for over 40 years. She loved the freedom the mountains gave her as she skied down the slopes!
Another past time for Sylvia was ceramic classes; she spent many summer evenings making Christmas presents for her family.
There will be a great void in the hearts of her family and friends that she leaves behind. She is survived by her brother Bernard Charles Desautels of Savoy, MA; her sister Therese (Desautels) Breton and her husband Al of Ellington, CT. She is also survived by her 3 nieces, 3 nephews, 7 great nieces and one great nephew.
Prior to Sylvia's admission to Redstone Rehab and Nursing Center, Sylvia was a resident at Kimball Farms' LEP Unit for Patients with Dementia from May 2011 to December 2012. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Staff at both facilities for their tender loving care, and respect they had for Sylvia and her family. Their understanding and patience and love for the Alzheimer's patients were remarkable.

FUNERAL NOTICE Relative and friends may call on the family at DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield on SUNDAY from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held MONDAY, March 31, 2014 at 9:15 AM with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Charles Church with Rev. Michael C. Lillpopp, officiating. Memorial donations in Sylvia's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of the funeral home.

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