Sylvia Jennings

Sylvia (Goldsborough) Jennings, 96 formerly of Bear, Delaware, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Complete Care at Brackenville in Hockessin, Delaware. She was born on August 4, 1928, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Sylvia was the daughter of the late Alvin Goldsborough and Stella Mae Townsend Goldsborough. Sylvia moved to Delaware in 1987 and quickly began attending classes to obtain a GED. At last, her goal was accomplished at the age of 62. Because of her exceptional achievement, she was asked to speak at her graduation held at The University of Delaware. What a proud family we were to see our mother and grandmother’s achievement. Sylvia was The Queen at making potato salad and sweet potato pie and bringing them to family gatherings. She adopted “In The Garden” and made it her signature song. This was also her mother’s favorite hymn and they both sang it daily any time of the day. She always had a curiosity about medical terms and managed to keep her Medical Dictionary close at hand so that she could look up anything that might be questionable to her. Her curiosity led her to attending a First Aid Class with her sister Rita. Today, she would have been dangerous with “Google”. She was a “stay at home mom” and was always there when her children came home from school. She encouraged all of her children to achieve earning their high school diploma. Sylvia enjoyed sewing and making clothing in her spare time. Actually, she did have several jobs; today what she did would be known as “work at home” jobs. She and her husband, C. Kenneth owned approximately seven properties renting out apartments. She was the bookkeeper and kept very tidy records. This must have kept them in good graces with The Internal Revenue Service. She was also good with being an in-home beautician for those close to her. She was pretty good with repairing little electrical appliances. Sylvia worked for a short time at Woolworth’s, Maids for You and was a substitute cafeteria worker in The Colonial School District. She loved singing and was a natural alto always able to harmonize with others. Recently, she would sing songs that were popular many years ago and could remember every word. She also could easily finish the words of a scripture when devotions were being read to her and was also very sharp with adding when asked to solve a math equation. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. Kenneth Jennings, a son, James L. Jennings, a daughter Ivy L. Francois; a son-in-law, Arif Zahir; and 2 grandsons, John Jennings and Ronald Williams. Sylvia was from a family of 17 children, all but 4 of her siblings have preceded her in death. Her 4 surviving siblings are Kathryn Hill and Naomi Grant, both residing in Brookhaven, PA, Stella Goldsborough and James Goldsborough, both residing in Chester, PA. She leaves to cherish her memory one son, Kenneth C. Jennings (Venita); five daughters: Jennell Williams-Zahir, Rosalind Seth (Vincent), Shirley Hall (Harold), Naimah-Deborah Jennings, and Diane Komara; special son-in-law, Widnir Francois; 18 grandchildren: Danielle (Doug), Shaun, Daniel, James, Lenora (Jeff), Ladesha (Lawrence), Aaron (Jacqueline) Brian (Stephanie), Rosalind, Ivy, Danita, Khaleem (Sonya), Woodny, Sylvia, Andrea, Lawanna (Olusola), Lavar and Siatta; 27 great-grandchildren; and 10 great great-grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Sylvia on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 11 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19702. A service in honor of her life will begin at 11 AM followed by a burial at Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720. For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com. In August 2008, Sylvia prayed and asked the Lord to be her Savior. It is such a comfort for our family knowing that her new residence is with the Lord and that we will see her again. What A Day That Will Be!!!!!

Sylvia Jennings

August 4, 1928 - January 26, 2025

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