Sylvia M. Cortese
January 1, 1800 — May 11, 2006
Sylvia M. Cortese, a lifelong Stamford resident, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 11, 2006, at the Stamford Hospital. Mrs. Cortese was the daughter of the late Alessandrina Malizia and Michael Macari. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph R. Cortese.
For more than three decades Sylvia owned and operated the Syhe Shoppe bridal salon, becoming a celebrity in her own right among brides of all ages. Her passion for the business earned her a special place in the hearts of many. She leaves a long and wonderful legacy to those who will remember her as someone who helped make dreams come true. She began her love for retail at the Union Shop on Stamfords West Side. She became assistant manager of the Holly Shop on Atlantic St. before opening the Syhe Shoppe on Newfield Ave.
She is a longtime member of the St. Augustine Columbiettes as well as a founding member of the Socialites.
She is survived by her loving children Alexandra Cortese, Joan Scalise and her husband Joseph, of Stamford and John Cortese and his wife Jane, of Cape Coral, FL. She is survived by her loving grandchildren: Tara, Justin, Christina, Jesse and Jordan.
She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph and Jerry Macari and her sister Rose Gentile, her half-brother Nicky Vitti and a half-sister, Antonitte Vitti.
She is also survived by her half-sisters Emily Inzitari, JoAnn Connelly and Theresa Brill.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Ave. Stamford. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, on Tuesday, May 16 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Critical Care Unit of Stamford Hospital. You may send donations to the Stamford Health Foundation, 9 West Broad St. 9th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902.
For more than three decades Sylvia owned and operated the Syhe Shoppe bridal salon, becoming a celebrity in her own right among brides of all ages. Her passion for the business earned her a special place in the hearts of many. She leaves a long and wonderful legacy to those who will remember her as someone who helped make dreams come true. She began her love for retail at the Union Shop on Stamfords West Side. She became assistant manager of the Holly Shop on Atlantic St. before opening the Syhe Shoppe on Newfield Ave.
She is a longtime member of the St. Augustine Columbiettes as well as a founding member of the Socialites.
She is survived by her loving children Alexandra Cortese, Joan Scalise and her husband Joseph, of Stamford and John Cortese and his wife Jane, of Cape Coral, FL. She is survived by her loving grandchildren: Tara, Justin, Christina, Jesse and Jordan.
She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph and Jerry Macari and her sister Rose Gentile, her half-brother Nicky Vitti and a half-sister, Antonitte Vitti.
She is also survived by her half-sisters Emily Inzitari, JoAnn Connelly and Theresa Brill.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Ave. Stamford. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, on Tuesday, May 16 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Critical Care Unit of Stamford Hospital. You may send donations to the Stamford Health Foundation, 9 West Broad St. 9th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902.
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