Passionate gardener, longtime resident
Sybil W. (McDonald) Dziewonski of Old Littleton Road died at home on Aug. 4. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Adam M. Dziewonski. Other survivors include her brother, James C. McDonald, of South Carolina, a brother-in-law, Jack Dziewonski, and his wife, Ewa, who live in Poland.
Sybil was born on Oct. 2, 1927, in Rogers, Ark., to Charles and Kathryn McDonald. She attended the University of Houston. While living in Texas, Sybil held several executive assistant positions and was also an interior designer.
Sybil met Adam in 1966 and they were married in 1967 on Adam’s birthday. In 1972, they moved to Massachusetts when Adam was offered a position at Harvard University. Adam says Sybil was a woman of great faith and was blessed with inner wisdom; she was his inspiration and made all his accomplishments possible.
Sybil was known and loved for her kind and compassionate support of others. Her passion for life was reflected in her beautiful gardens. At one time, she carefully planted and nurtured hundreds of rose bushes. Later, when rose cultivation turned too difficult, she devoted her energy to cultivating day lilies.
Donations may be made in Sybil’s name to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
A memorial Mass will be held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa’s at Holy Trinity Parish, 17 Still River Road. The Mass will be followed by a burial service in Bellevue Cemetery. Following the burial service, a reception will be held in Deacon Hall in the lower floor of St. Theresa’s Church.
