Sylvia J. Pate

Sylvia Jeanette Pate

OBITUARY

Sylvia Jeanette Pate lived a life of courage, service, and creativity. She made a lasting impact on everyone who

knew her. Sylvia was born on December 23, 1947, in Maryville, Tennessee, to Mattie Lexie Pate (née Coleman) and Linton

Sylvester Pate. Alongside her younger brother, Linton Lee Pate, her family later moved to Medina, Ohio, before

settling in Brooklyn, New York. From her earliest years, Sylvia’s curiosity, determination, and compassion shone

through qualities that would guide her life’s journey.

A proud graduate of Allen High School in Asheville, North Carolina, Sylvia built lifelong friendships with her

classmates, lovingly called the “Allenites.” It was also during these formative years that her passion for justice

emerged. With quiet courage, she joined lunch counter sit-ins to protest segregation, an early act of advocacy that

reflected her lifelong commitment to equity and opportunity for all. After attending The College of Emporia in Kansas, 

Sylvia found her academic home at Florida A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. 

A dedicated FAMU Rattler, she went on to pursue a Master of Public Administration at Baruch College while completing

the National Urban Fellows Program, combining her love of learning with a growing dedication to public service.

Sylvia’s career spanned three decades in public service. From 1974 to 1994, she held leadership roles within the

New York State Department of Social Services and the Division for Youth, where she worked tirelessly to

strengthen communities and empower families. She later transitioned to healthcare, serving as Director of

Managed Care at Elmhurst Hospital and Director of Managed Care and Outreach at Bellevue Hospital Center. In

2002, she retired from public service, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and compassion.

Retirement, however, was not an end but a new beginning. Sylvia became a certified massage therapist, running

her own practice and bringing healing to many. She also shared her wisdom as an adjunct professor at Kean

College, teaching Critical Thinking and guiding first-year students to believe in their potential.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sylvia was a traveler, artist, and lifelong learner. She loved reading on

the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, exploring cultures around the world, and expressing her creativity through

jewelry-making, watercolor painting, and Chinese brush art. She had a gift for making every space brighter —

whether through her radiant smile, thoughtful words, or art that reflected her adventurous spirit.

Above all, Sylvia was deeply devoted to her daughter, Kaia Crystal Pate, whom she lovingly called her greatest

blessing. Her generosity, adventurous spirit, and unshakable love for family and friends will forever remain her

legacy.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Linton Sylvester Pate; her mother, Mattie Lexie Pate; and her brother,

Linton Lee Pate. She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved daughter, Kaia Crystal Pate, along with many

cousins, extended family, and dear friends who will continue to be inspired by her life.

Sylvia’s story is one of courage, service, and joy. Her legacy of compassion and creativity will live on in every life

she touched.