Syl was instilled with a love for music at an early age by her mother.  After her primary schooling in Bangor, Maine she attended the Julliard School of Music in New York before returning to complete her college degree at the University of Maine in 1944.  Syl’s musical gifts ultimately led to her chance meeting with a young soldier, Seymour Horwitz, during one of her singing performances.  Following a wartime correspondence courtship, chronicled in her husband’s novel, One Doctor’s War, the couple wed on June 12, 1946.

Following her marriage, Syl skillfully balanced and juggled her family life and time on the stage as a singer and actress.  Her career literally spanned decades starting in 1948 with the Schenectady Light Opera Company where she performed in dozens of shows, half of which were in leading roles.  For a time, she also served on the Board for SLOC.  In addition, Syl served as President of the Etude Club, was active with the Schenectady Civic Players, Oratorio Society and a dinner theatre group.  She also independently performed in local public schools, houses of worship and nursing/retirement homes. After moving from Schenectady, Syl lived in Niskayuna, Jensen Beach, Fl., and finally in Glens Falls.

Syl’s essence is embodied by the words of Lydia Maria Child. “While I listened, music was to my soul what the atmosphere is to my body; it was the breath of my inward life…the highest symbol of the infinite and holy…the secret of creation lay in music…the sound that led the stars into their places.”