Obituary of Sylvia M. Holmes

Sylvia M. Holmes, 86, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024 surrounded by her loving husband and family. Sylvia was born on August 20th, 1938 in Saranac Lake, NY to William and Lillian Golden. Sylvia grew up amongst the beautiful Adirondack mountains with her seven brothers and sisters. As a child, Sylvia discovered her lifelong love of country music when she attended concerts put on by her brother’s band. Sylvia started her professional career as a wife and mother at a young age. She married Milo (Sonny) Moody, in Saranac Lake, NY in 1955. From that marriage, Sylvia’s treasured children John and Karen were born. Sylvia owned and operated Gauthier’s Motel and Moody Marina in Saranac Lake, NY for nearly a decade. Sylvia stayed very busy with her roles as mother, bookkeeper, and innkeeper, but always managed to welcome guests to her motel with her beautiful smile. Through their mutual love of horses, Sylvia met her true love and dedicated husband of 48 years, Spike Holmes in 1975. They married on April 26, 1977 in a simple yet beautiful ceremony in a family member's kitchen in Fabius, NY. Their love has been the envy of those that know them since that day. Sylvia and Spike built a thriving business together training and boarding horses in Rome, NY. They ran Spike Holmes Training Center for more than 20 years. Sylvia and Spike then moved to Morrisville, NY where Sylvia supported Spike in his career as an equine educator at Morrisville College. Sylvia “retired” to Delphi Falls, NY in the early 2000’s when she and Spike built their dream home in the countryside. Sylvia spent her later years as a treasured wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Sylvia thrived at being a homemaker and had many talents such as baking, cooking and sewing. Sylvia loved to garden and was proud of her gorgeous roses each summer. Sylvia was also an avid bird watcher and managed to attract rare birds to her porch each spring. Sylvia’s most important job in life was taking care of her beloved husband. Sylvia ran Spike’s life with the precision of a military drill sergeant. Spike fondly remembers her meticulously preparing his suitcase each time he went out of town for work. It is said that behind every successful man stands a strong woman and this was the case for Spike and Sylvia. Their love was a true partnership and the kind of marriage that most people only dream of having. “Nana” as she was affectionately called by all, was a selfless woman who always cared for others before herself. Sylvia welcomed everyone into her home with open arms to sit at her much loved kitchen table. Sylvia was the source of comfort and advice for all members of her family. The solution to any problem was to just call Nana. Sylvia always had a fresh pot of coffee in her kitchen and a baked treat waiting to go with it. Everyone that went to Sylvia’s house became family to her even if they started out as a stranger. Sylvia’s love for her family and those around her could not be matched. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her. Sylvia was a woman of great faith and was christened in the Catholic religion. Sylvia has now joined her family that has predeceased her: her parents William and Lillian Golden; her in-laws, Lewis and Greta Holmes, and her siblings Junior (Liz) Golden, Claude Golden, Dorothy (Arnold) Salmon; and Betty (Frank) Pelligrino. Sylvia is survived by her loving husband, Spike Holmes and their children, John Moody of Watertown, NY, Karen Moody of Rome, NY, Jim (Suzanne) Holmes of Delphi Falls, NY, and Mechell (Anthony) Fontaine of Frankfort, NY. Sylvia is also survived by her grandchildren, Jessica (Brian) Dworsky, Lacey (Tyler) Duell, Elisha (Michelle) Abbe, Kyle (Stacia) Holmes, McKenzie (Luke) Holmes, and Nikolai Moody. Sylvia is also blessed to be survived by many great-grandchildren, Kalia Critz, Graham Abbe, Hailey Abbe, Sylvia Duell and Addison Mack. Sylvia is also survived by her loving siblings, Shirley O’Neil of Bloomingdale, NY, Jack (Erica) Golden of Florida, and Mary Lawson of Florida. Sylvia’s family welcomes you to join them for calling hours that will be held at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia, NY on October 13, 2024 from 12 to 2 p.m., commencing with a prayer service. The service will be followed by a gathering at the Delphi Falls Fire House, 2260 Oran Delphi Road, Delphi Falls. In lieu of flowers, Sylvia would love to have you donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org. Condolences for the family may be left at www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.