Sylvia L. Thompson

Sylvia Louise Thompson, affectionately known as “Ms. Sylvie” to many, was born in Cambridge, St. James Parish, Jamaica, West Indies on August 10, 1937 to the late Ritynella Sparks and Wilfred Tinglin. She entered her final resting place on February 17, 2025 in Albany, NY. 

She left Jamaica when she was 30 years old to find a new life in America, settling in Albany, NY on a domestic worker sponsorship (sponsored by Mrs. Marion Stresser) whom she worked for as a housekeeper for five years. She was also a dedicated and hardworking employee at the Albany County Nursing Home for 24 years as a nursing assistant, retiring in 1997. Ms. Sylvia loved life and all that it had to offer. She loved helping others, never forgetting where she came from. She practiced random acts of kindness and was always thinking of ways to help others who were not as fortunate, or who simply needed a helping hand. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and served for several years on its Ushers Ministry. She enjoyed the fellowship with other members of her church family and enjoyed the rich spiritual feeling she received after each service. Sylvia loved cooking traditional Jamaican dishes; oxtail was her specialty! Her family and friends boast how she always made sure there was enough for everyone with plenty of leftovers. She also loved to bake delicious potato pudding and Jamaican rum cakes. Sylvia and her dear friend Hermine loved going on casino bus trips; she loved to travel. Her favorite past-time, second to spending time with her family, was playing bingo, at least once a week. Ms. 

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Ainsley “Castro” Thompson (2007), of whom she was married to for 37 years, one son Collin, one sister Ripley, and four brothers. 

She leaves to cherish her memory, two loving daughters, Norma (Cornell-deceased) and Pansy (Vernon); one son, Howard; a daughter-in-law, Olive; two sisters, Jennifer and Ida and two brothers, George and George. Her memory and legacy will live on in her nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, dear friends, and the loving children of her dearest friend Hermine Greene (Euton, Lorraine, and Jennifer). So often we meet individuals whose lives leave a lasting impression upon others, and this was the life of Mrs. Sylvia Tingling Thompson. Her radiant smile was soft and gentle full of love and kindness. Her strong faith in Christ and unselfish love and devotion was an inspiration to everyone with whom she met. Sylvia was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend.