LEWISTON — Sylvina (DesRoches) “Syl” Mahar, 89, of Rumford, died peacefully surrounded by her family Friday, Feb. 25, at Central Maine Medical Center, following a brief illness. 

She was born Sept. 23, 1921, to Emeline (Gallant) DesRoches (Theriault Richard) and Edward DesRoches. She was the oldest of seven children. As a child of the Depression era, the family moved frequently when she was young. She graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford in the Class of 1939. While in high school, Syl was a member of the National Honor Society and was head cheerleader.

 On June 18, 1942, she married the love of her life, John Patrick Mahar Jr. They made their home in Rumford, where they raised a family of five children.

She worked for the Oxford Paper Co. during World War II, while John was serving in the Army in the Pacific Theater. She served the Rumford area as an air raid warden during that time. She worked for the Oxford Federal Credit Union, becoming manager in the mid-1960s. She retired from the Credit Union in 1983.

She was a lifelong communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior, St Athanasius — St John’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.

John and Sylvina spent many memorable hours square and round dancing. They spent many happy days traveling throughout the country and to Bermuda dancing. Her only disappointment in life was when she and John did not make it to Hawaii to square dance at a convention.

After John passed away in June 1991, she discovered line dancing. She often said she lost the greatest partner anyone could have when John passed; she never thought she would dance again, but she found joy in dancing with the ladies of the Methodist Church in Virginia.

Her joy in life was her family. She loved summers when everyone would gather at the pool. She lived in her swimsuit all summer, except for the hour she went to church on Sundays. She stayed active until the hour she was taken to the hospital. 

She is survived by her children, Timothy E. and wife, Karla, of Manchester, Tenn., Thomas N. and wife, Roni, of San Francisco Calif., John P. III, and wife, Lorna, of West Bethel, Elizabeth M. and husband, Raymond Doherty, of Rumford, and Joseph of Andover; grandchildren, Kaitrin T. Mahar of Norfolk, Va. , John P, Mahar IV, of West Bethel, Linda and husband, Josh Yates, of Greenwood, Amy Jane Mahar of Rumford and Adam Mahar of Andover; great-grandson, Lukas Yates; brothers, Edward DesRoches and wife, Rody, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Paul Theriault and wife, Judy, of Wells; many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Dodie Mahar of Rumford; brother-in-law, Louis Mahar and wife, Claudette, of Somersworth, N.H.; sister-in-law, Elinora Mahar of Lady Lake, Fla., and sister-in-law, Nancy Theriault of Bryant Pond; and special friends/adoptive children, Jerrold H. Cohen, Michelle Belanger and Jeannine Law.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John; her sisters, Ella (DesRoches) Derrah and Pauline (Theriault) Gordon; brothers, C. Victor DesRoches and Adrian Theriault.

The family is deeply grateful to the Rumford Community Hospital Emergency Room staff and the Central Maine Medical Center ICU staff for their expert care and their support for us as a family through Sylvina’s illness.

Please wear purple to the service; it was Syl’s favorite color.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Mahar family by visiting their guestbook at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.