On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Sylvia Gertrude Hyland (nee Blanchard) passed away peacefully, after a lengthy period of ill-health. 97 years young, Sylvia was born on February 13, 1926 in the town of Hingham, Massachusetts. Her parents were Ralph Childs Blanchard and Lucy Mayo Blanchard (nee Fitzherbert). Sylvia remained devoted to their memory, along with that of her siblings Herbert and Barbara. She treasured memories of her family home in Crow’s Point, and delighted in regaling others of the love and laughter shared by all. Sylvia received her Nursing Diploma from Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. She worked mainly as a Labor and Delivery nurse, a career that delighted her. She and three nursing friends traveled to Los Angeles in a dilapidated car, to work at Cedars Sinai for a year. Sylvia loved reminiscing about the experience (including just missing the birth of Jimmy Stewarts’ twin daughters) as well as anecdotes of the car inevitably breaking down along the route. Sylvia also had poignant memories of training at Bellevue Hospital in New York when peace was declared, ending WWII. The ensuing public celebration was incredibly meaningful to her, even though her own celebration was tempered by her need to be on time for her shift. Sylvia found love after a blind date, and married Robert Cushman Hyland on October 27, 1952. Moving to Hanover, she loved her home, doted on her family, and was loved by all who knew her. She particularly enjoyed asking others about their lives and interests…and carried this tradition on until her death. Sylvia had the gift of making everyone feel special, and was appreciated by all who crossed paths with her. Some of her favorite memories included her pets over the years (Peter, Shep, Sam, Romeo and Clyde) and her passion for cars. She was particularly fond of the sport convertible she and Robert took on their honeymoon. Later on, she carried this passion over to her beloved Datsun Z and her Nissan SX…which stayed in the family once she could no longer drive. She also enjoyed playing the piano, knitting, the Red Sox, reading, and solving crossword puzzles. Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Robert. She is survived by her son Robert Childs Hyland, her daughter Marcia Hyland Foley, and her husband Dennis. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Joshua James Mele, Eric Robert Mele and his wife Kristina, Robert Charles Moffett Hyland and his wife Sara, and Benjamin James Hyland. She also is survived by step grandchildren Meghan Elizabeth Foley and Owen Matthew Foley. As well she is survived by three step great grandchildren Jeremy Moffett-Smith, Padraig Dennis Foley, and Darragh Lee Foley. She was preceded in death by two dear high school friends of over 75 years, Muzzy McLellan and Carol Ferguson who only passed away in recent years. There will be a graveside service at Hanover Center Cemetery on April 1st 2023 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Norwell Visiting Nurse at NVNA.org