Remembering Sylvia Weber

On Sept. 7, Sylvia (Siggy) Weber, 85, a beloved psychiatric nurse leader, healer and veteran of the Air Force and US Army reserves, 455th General Hospital, rested in peace after a courageous struggle with an insidious disease. She was a tireless supporter of nursing, receiving many awards during her career, that ended just a few months before her death. Known as “Woman of the Eagle, who laughs and argues” formed in the fire of the Tinneh tradition was most proud of her honor as a warrior woman. She was a lifelong champion of the environment, while bringing the sacred feminine into balance throughout the universe.

She was born in Bensonhurst (Brooklyn) New York, the daughter of the late Harry and Ida (Zuckerman) Weber. She leaves behind her older sister, Estelle (Weber) Beckerman, sister in law, Bernice Weber, her daughters, Ilene (Weber) Schulenberger, and husband Ray Schulenberger, and her daughter, Susan (Weber)Tashian, who, with her son, Zachary, was her primary and loving care giver in her final months. She was devoted to her four grandchildren, Samantha & Genna Companatico and Zachary & Jack Tashian. She was pre-deceased by her brothers, Gerald & Jack Weber and brother in law, Stuart Beckerman

Sylvia moved to RI in 1972 after receiving her Diploma in Nursing from Kings Point Hospital; her BSN from New York University and her MSN from UCLA. She taught psychiatric nursing, briefly, at University of Long Beach before moving to RI. Certainly, one of her greatest accomplishments was her private practice counseling and mental health services for 50 years, through which she touched the lives of many individuals and families.

She contributed to the education of psychiatric nurses as in-service director at Butler Hospital where she established lifelong friendships with her colleagues. She was guest lecturer at the University of RI and RI College.

She was an active participant in many organizations. Nationally, she served on the American Nurses Association Congress for Nursing Practice for many years. She dedicated over 50 years to the RI State Nurses Association serving as the President of the Board, Director, Chair of the Environmental Council and Government Affairs. She served on the state board of nursing.

She was the recipient of the RI State Nurses Association President’s Award and in 2011 was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the RI State Nurses Association.

She was an active member of the RI Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the RI Public Health Association, Sigma Theta Tau an honorary nursing society and the Environmental Council of RI. Sylvia was the force behind integrating environmental safety into nursing practice.

Most notably, Sylvia was a Therapeutic Touch® practitioner, studying with Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz for many decades. She went onto teach hundreds of students the science and art of this modality to ease pain, decrease anxiety and ease depression.

Sylvia, “talked the talk and walked the walk” in both her professional and personal life. She was a kind and compassionate force, always giving of herself and never expecting anything in return.

She was a woman of many firsts.

The first single woman in RI to be granted a mortgage.

The first single woman in RI to adopt children.

Personally, she was a friend to many. She opened her house to many individuals when they were in crisis.

She donated to many associations that were aligned with her belief system. The Nature Conservancy, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU to name a few. And let us not forget her undying dedication to the New England Patriots, Providence Bruins and URI basketball, always the loudest fan in the stadium.

Her family would like to thank the nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and all other staff members who cared for Sylvia with gentleness and compassion at Steere House and at the Hope Hospice in-patient unit in Providence. There is a special thank you to Sylvia’s friend, Carol Turton, who stood by her side throughout her final days, and to her close friends: Nancy Rosendal, Ruth McIntosh, and Denise Coppa.

One final note: In 2012 she published a book “A GUIDE FOR COMPASSION IN POLITICAL POWER”.

She included her epitaph in the book’s text.

“Here lay Sylvia under the only rock she could not turn over”.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday September 17th at 12noon in the Winfield & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 571 West Greenville Rd., Scituate. Gathering will begin one hour prior starting at 11am. At the request if Sylvia’s family, they request for anyone attending to please wear purple.