Sylvia Doris Ketonen, 92, of Port Charlotte, Florida died March 7, 2014.

Sylvia was born on May 8, 1922 in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, the daughter of the late Waino and Lydia Maki. She grew up on a farm on Perry Road, and graduated circa 1940 from Appleton Academy. She married Theodore (Ted) Ketonen in 1944 and moved to his childhood home in Ashby, Massachusetts, where they raised their daughter, Sherrin and lived for nearly forty years.

Sylvia began her career working for United Cooperative Farmers in Fitchburg, MA in an administrative role, ultimately earning the position of Office Manager with additional responsibilities in accounting. Lifelong learning was very important to her, and she prided herself on continuing her education informally, focusing her interest on Finnish and American culture and history, while also furthering her artistic talents in areas such as oil painting, sewing and her ultimate passion, quilting. In earlier years, with her family and friends Sylvia enjoyed outdoor activities that included camping, boating and fishing at many New England lake venues. With her mother she also was involved in a commercial antique business, which broadened her interests in antiques and collectibles.
Over the fifty-plus years of their marriage, Sylvia and Ted seized many opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally. Among their many destinations were Hawaii, numerous European countries, Australia and New Zealand. In the early 1980s Sylvia and Ted moved to Jaffrey, NH where they lived for several years before retiring to Port Charlotte, Florida. There they enjoyed the company of neighbors and friends, and continued to travel until Ted’s death in 1995.
Once in Port Charlotte, Sylvia joined the Peace River Quilters where she participated in numerous activities and competitions and made many close and lasting friendships. With an eye for form, design and color, Sylvia created many award-winning quilts, some of which have been recognized at the state and national level.

Over the past thirty years Sylvia continued to travel, taking numerous cruise vacations with her cousin, Effie, and her family. She also enjoyed time spent at the local gym, and with close friends attending community theater performances. At every opportunity she spent time in New England, and was among a very small number of classmates who faithfully attended their high school reunions. In the final years of her life Sylvia especially valued time spent with family, friends and neighbors – and most recently with the caring staff at Sandhill Gardens.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Bill Stanwood and his wife Katherine of Ashby, MA; two nieces, Jan Ketonen of Westford, MA, and Susan Duncanson of Lunenburg, MA; a second cousin, Judy Lamerand of Nashua, NH; and many close friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, their daughter Sherrin and Sylvia’s half-sister, Charlotte.
A gathering of family and friends was held on Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 PM at Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel, 2151 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, Florida Chapter.

Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.