The Liturgy for the Faithful Departed, in accordance with the Maronite tradition of the Catholic Church, for Sylvia Elizabeth Lutfy Jebaily, ("Sitti" as she was lovingly known by many) will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2526 Hoffmeyer Rd., Florence, S.C. with Father Bartholomew Leon, O.S.B. and Father Robert Morey officiating. Internment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a Rosary service at Cain Funeral Home on Monday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by a Wake Service beginning at 6:30 P.M. The family will receive friends at the funeral home until 9:00 P.M. Thereafter, the family will gather and greet friends at the home of Joseph and Theresa Jebaily, 2109 Highgate Street, Florence, S.C. Born on August 19, 1918 at the family home at 19 Rector Street, New York, N.Y., Sylvia was the oldest of 4 children of a family whose ancestors came to this country from Zahle, Lebanon. Sylvia quietly passed on February 13, 2015 at the home of John and Prissy Jebaily, with whom she lived for the last 7 ½ years since the passing of her husband, John A. Jebaily. She was 96 years old at the time of her death. Growing up in New York during the Great Depression, Sylvia developed a keen sense of empathy for others. Having three brothers who fought in WWII, she was a member of a great generation who loved and served their country with honor and dignity. Married to the love of her life, John, on November 3, 1940, Sylvia initially made her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. with her husband and 5 sons, distinguishing herself as a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Thereafter, in August 1963, due to her husband's job transfer with Wentworth Manufacturing Co., the family moved to Florence, S.C., which became the family home for over the last 50 years. Sylvia attended St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she was actively involved in many church organizations and activities. She was also active in numerous Florence civic organizations, including serving as a co-founder of the Florence Women's Symphony Guild, President of the Florence County Mental Health Association, the Chopin Music Club and the National Federation of Music Clubs, and numerous others. An avid card player, Sylvia was also a member of several Bridge Clubs and took great joy in participating in daily card games at the Senior Center over the last 10 years. Sylvia and her husband, John also formed a great team making costumes together for countless shows at the Florence Little Theater over a span of 37 years. In the spring of 1991 at the annual Awards Night celebration, they were recognized for their many years of dedication to FLT and received the Outstanding Service Award. The costume room at the Florence Little Theatre is named in their honor. Always ready for a new adventure, Sylvia and John took great joy in travelling all across the United States and the world. Some of her fondest memories were of their travels together to far and away places including riding donkeys down into the Grand Canyon, elephants in Thailand, camels in Egypt, cruising up to see the glaciers in Alaska and down the Rhine, Nile, Seine and Thames Rivers, visiting the Holy Land, going to her family ancestral home in Lebanon, walking up the Great Wall of China, sightseeing in Hong Kong and many places in between. Her accepting spirit made her universally loved wherever she went. Sylvia is survived by five sons, Ronald (Suzanne) Jebaily; Gerard "Jerry" Jebaily; Joseph (Theresa) Jebaily; John M. (Prissy) Jebaily, Jr.; and George (Debbie) Jebaily, all of Florence, S.C.; and 13 grandchildren, Rachael Jebaily (Noah) Garrett of Charleston, S.C., Nicholas (Monique) Jebaily of Phoenix, Ariz., Alexandria Jebaily (Chris) Keretsis, Michael (Suzanne) Jebaily of Columbia, S.C., Patrick (DeAnn) Jebaily, Katrina Jebaily (Brian) Yost, Kristen Jebaily (Scott) Seiffert, Gregory (Sarah) Jebaily of Austin, Texas, Julie Jebaily, Gerard Jebaily, Elissa Jebaily, Kayla Jebaily, and Kirk Jebaily, as well as 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. Sylvia is also survived by several generations of beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins on both the Lutfy and Jebaily sides of the family, who live in South Carolina and throughout the United States. A devotee of researching family history, Sylvia reached out and connected with many extended family members all over the country. Sylvia lived her life sharing God's love with others, with a joyous zest for life that was contagious. There are many "adopted" sons and daughters, both near and far, whom "Mama Jebaily" deeply loved and treasured as a part of her family. She leaves behind a legacy of boundless love for her God, her family, her friends and her community. Sylvia and her husband, John, were forever appreciative of the way that Florence embraced the family. In return, they gave back to the community they loved so much, forming life-long friendships all along the way. Sylvia was predeceased by her loving husband and life-partner, John, to whom she was married for 66 years. She was also preceded in death by her father, Habib Joseph Lutfy; her mother, Nafie Ferris Lutfy; three brothers, Joseph Lutfy, Robert Lutfy and Alfred Lutfy, as well as three sisters-in-law, Lorraine Lutfy and Bernice Lutfy, and Gladys Lutfy. She was also preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters-in-law and their respective spouses, Michael Jebaily, Mary Jebaily (Charles) Ganim, Sarah Jebaily (Elias) Mouzayck, Jennie Jebaily Moghab (Frank) Nahal, Affie Jebaily (Karem) Jangie, George (Mary) Jebaily, Margaret Jebaily (Izzat) Nazarian, James (Adlar) Jebaily, Julia Jebaily (Nagib) Kabbash, Vivian Jebaily (Dennis) Collins, Joseph (Alice) Jebaily, Lillian Jebaily (Robert) Downs, and Lewis Jebaily. The family extends deep gratitude to Ms. Debra Starks, Ms. Ruth Swinton, Ms. Tonya Small, and to McLeod Hospice for their loving and tender care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church Building Fund, 2536 W. Hoffmeyer Rd., Florence, S.C. 29502 or to the Florence Little Theatre Endowment, 1000 S. Cashua Dr., Florence, S.C. 29501.