Obituary for Sylvia M. Ham
Chester and Springfield – Sylvia M. Ham, 85, wife of the late Jason M. Ham, was escorted by an angel into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from her home along the Penobscot River in Chester. She was born December 29, 1934 in New London, New Hampshire, the youngest of twelve children born to Earle and Gladys (Cheney) Chadwick. She was raised and educated in Sutton, New Hampshire, where she and her siblings were noted from an early age for their deep and abiding devotion and love for one another. They were also known for looking after and helping each other, a defining family trait that was carried into adulthood and well into the senior years of their lives.
On December 21, 1974 Sylvia married her husband and they settled in Springfield, where they lived for nearly thirty- seven years. During her time in Springfield, she was active in the Springfield Community Chapel and formed lasting friendships with Pastor Bruce and Debbie Swan, Dave and Pat Pace, Joyce Tozier, and Dimpy Skeens, friendships that even her death cannot destroy or end. After moving to Chester in 2011, and becoming a widow in 2012, Sylvia became a faithful congregant of Chester Baptist Church, where she volunteered every week in the food pantry ministry. Through this work, she formed friendships with Sheila Chesley, Edith Ireland, Diane Buskirk, Ellen Wyman, Barbie Shedd, and Sharon Carr. These ladies, along with Joyce Tozier, travelled across the country on bus trips together and could be found every Monday morning visiting with one another at the Lincoln McDonald’s. When they were together, they were like schoolgirls, always laughing, always joking, and always sharing in a happy and good time. Sylvia liked games of all sorts and varieties, and she found a suitable competitor in another close friend, Sandra Chesley, whom she treated like a daughter. Whether living in Springfield or in Chester, Sylvia opened her home to all; she especially looked forward to visits from her family in New Hampshire and Washington State, and from friends, near and far.
In a sometimes bleak, gray world, Sylvia was a much-needed flash of purple (her favorite color), offering humor, wit, graciousness, kindness, and love. She will be missed by the many lives she touched.
Sylvia is survived by two sons and their wives, Chris and Sandy Ham of Chester, Marty and Sarah Ham of Veazie; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a brother, Pete Chadwick of Washington State; a sister in law, Marion (Ham) Karstadt of Arizona; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Byron Ham, and ten siblings – Bertha, Hitter, Bud, Jake, Ray, Buriel, Della, Doris, Donald, and Richard.
Graveside services will be held 11 AM Sunday, June 7, 2020 at the Springfield Village Cemetery with Bill Chesley officiating. Gifts in memory of Sylvia may be sent to the Chester Baptist Church, or to the Chester Food Pantry, 2 South Chester Road, Chester, ME 04457. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, Lincoln.
On December 21, 1974 Sylvia married her husband and they settled in Springfield, where they lived for nearly thirty- seven years. During her time in Springfield, she was active in the Springfield Community Chapel and formed lasting friendships with Pastor Bruce and Debbie Swan, Dave and Pat Pace, Joyce Tozier, and Dimpy Skeens, friendships that even her death cannot destroy or end. After moving to Chester in 2011, and becoming a widow in 2012, Sylvia became a faithful congregant of Chester Baptist Church, where she volunteered every week in the food pantry ministry. Through this work, she formed friendships with Sheila Chesley, Edith Ireland, Diane Buskirk, Ellen Wyman, Barbie Shedd, and Sharon Carr. These ladies, along with Joyce Tozier, travelled across the country on bus trips together and could be found every Monday morning visiting with one another at the Lincoln McDonald’s. When they were together, they were like schoolgirls, always laughing, always joking, and always sharing in a happy and good time. Sylvia liked games of all sorts and varieties, and she found a suitable competitor in another close friend, Sandra Chesley, whom she treated like a daughter. Whether living in Springfield or in Chester, Sylvia opened her home to all; she especially looked forward to visits from her family in New Hampshire and Washington State, and from friends, near and far.
In a sometimes bleak, gray world, Sylvia was a much-needed flash of purple (her favorite color), offering humor, wit, graciousness, kindness, and love. She will be missed by the many lives she touched.
Sylvia is survived by two sons and their wives, Chris and Sandy Ham of Chester, Marty and Sarah Ham of Veazie; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a brother, Pete Chadwick of Washington State; a sister in law, Marion (Ham) Karstadt of Arizona; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Byron Ham, and ten siblings – Bertha, Hitter, Bud, Jake, Ray, Buriel, Della, Doris, Donald, and Richard.
Graveside services will be held 11 AM Sunday, June 7, 2020 at the Springfield Village Cemetery with Bill Chesley officiating. Gifts in memory of Sylvia may be sent to the Chester Baptist Church, or to the Chester Food Pantry, 2 South Chester Road, Chester, ME 04457. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Clay Chapel, Lincoln.