Sylvia A. Engel

Sylvia was a true lover of nature. When she lived in the Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood, she was on the Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood Association Council for about 10 years, and later on she was very involved in serving as a volunteer at the UW Arboretum. She loved tramping around in any natural setting. I have some great photos of her up in the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's UP. One of her poems is printed in the Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood history book: IN OUR OWN WORDS: THE BEST OF THE DUNN'S MARSH NEWS. Her presence in the world was gentle, and she loved taking care of the earth. Here's the poem.

On a summer evening, many years ago, I rode my bike over the bridge that straddles Edgewood Avenue just as it becomes Vilas Park Drive, and I came upon Sylvia sitting on the grass near the water's edge of Lake Wingra. She was looking across the lake toward the Arboretum at the sun setting...and just quietly watching it. I hadn't known Sylvia all that long, and this was a side of her that I hadn't seen before. And, when I stopped to say hello, I felt a small sense of being unwelcome, as if I had disturbed a quiet spirit and was intruding. Funny, the small things you remember about someone after so many years. Sylvia did, indeed, love nature, and we shared many happy moments talking about her trips Up North. Here's to you Ms. Der Der. I hope you're looking forever now at the places that meant so much to you.

Sylvia, a true woodswoman.

Most people knew her as Sylvia Engel but in private she was Sylvia Waterstone, the name she used to reflect her love of water and the smooth stones on the shore of Lake Superior. She loved this earth, observed Mother Nature carefully, learning through land and library. Sylvia was a kind, gentle and patient soul with no tolerance for bullshit. She never turned down an adventure outdoors be it hiking, swimming or paddling. Free to wander north now, she's most likely in the woods wearing jeans, plaid flannel shirt and hiking boots.

I got to work with Sylvia at the Arboretum where she volunteered for so many years as a Team Leader, Steward, and Bookstore Clerk. She was good with groups of all ages, and made great contributions to the restoration work. I remember her smile and her laugh. Sylvia asked good questions, had a warm laugh, and shared her ideas on how to make the volunteer program better. Here is a photo of Sylvia from a Team Leader get together, when she and all the other team leaders got new pruning saws.