Peg Sylvester

Peg Sylvester, age 57, of Grand Rapids, passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 7, 1958 at Mercy Hospital in Monroe Michigan. Peg will be greatly missed by her parents, Joan and Dick Sylvester; dearest friend and partner, Elisa Bergonzoni; 3 brothers: Paul (Dawn) Sylvester of Paw Paw, Dave (Kathy) Sylvester of Ada, Scott (Lisa) Sylvester of Mattawan; many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Peg was an avid reader, loved to golf, travel and enjoyed anything Italian. She graduated from Adrian High School in 1976 near the top of her class and played basketball and volleyball. She earned her degree in Hospitality Management from Ferris State University in 1979. She began her career at the Westin in Chicago, followed by various other hotel/restaurant positions throughout the United States. She moved back to Michigan in 1992 to be closer to her family, and followed in her mother’s footsteps at Michigan National Bank, where she met Elisa. She was later recruited to Macatawa Bank as a Mortgage Lender, and West Michigan Community Bank. Throughout her career, Peg was passionate about serving others in work and in her community. She volunteered for many organizations, including building homes with Habitat for Humanity, teaching budgeting classes at the Holland Rescue Mission, and preparing taxes for low-income families through the Kent County Tax Coalition. Peg was a true friend and was loved by all. Funeral services for Peg will be held Tuesday, December 29 at 11:30 at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Chapel, (Kentwood) 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE 49508 with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. Relatives and friends may gather to meet the family Tuesday from 10-11:30 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in memory of Peg may be made to a charity of One’s choice.