Sylvia J. (Vasselin) Caswell

WORCESTER/HOLDEN - Sylvia J. (Vasselin) Caswell, 89, died peacefully at UMass Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Chester F. Caswell Jr. in 2012. She leaves behind four children, Chester F. Caswell III of Brewster, Jennifer B. Caswell of Princeton, Heather C. Mauke and her husband William W. Mauke II, of East Orleans and Curtis F. Caswell of Brewster. She was a beloved grandmother to William W. Mauke III and his wife Kathleen, Christopher H. Mauke and his wife Darcy, Tucker C. Mauke and his wife Elissa, Colby B. Mauke and his wife Claire, Stonleigh Caswell, Chester F. "Chase" Caswell IV, Rebecca F. Caswell, Charlie Caswell, Sophia Caswell, and great grandmother to Grace, Parker, Nora and Ryder. She was a devoted wife, a fantastic mother and an exuberant and creative grandmother who reveled in hosting family gatherings and passing on many traditions.

Sylvia was born in Worcester, the daughter of Harold D. and Vera B. (Hanson) Vasselin. Sylvia was a graduate of North High School in Worcester and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics from Skidmore College in 1953. After graduation, she was an instructor of Nutrition and Diet Therapy in Boston. In 1980, she graduated from Framingham State College with a Master's Degree in Education while working full time as a Home Economics teacher at the Paxton Center School and eventually developed a program there to teach gifted and talented children.

Sylvia was an active volunteer in and around Worcester. The mission of many of the organizations for which she volunteered was helping children, whether she was serving as board member at Edward Street Day Care, volunteering with Girls Inc., or working tirelessly as the Director of Youth Theater at First Baptist church. Her tremendous love of theatre and children eventually led to the creation of the Worcester Children's Theatre, which she cofounded and became the first president of. It gave children from all parts of Worcester the chance to learn every aspect of theatre in a wonderful learning environment with terrific mentors in the field. In her 60's she began teaching an afterschool theatre workshop for children in Holden schools that performed on the road for the elderly and at different venues. She was a member of the Junior League of Worcester for many years. She also served on the board of the Age Center of Worcester Inc., and was a trustee of Goddard-Homestead, Inc. Her enthusiasm and continued interest in Skidmore College led her to become the founder and first president of the Worcester Skidmore Club and a tireless class agent for many years.

The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 7 at First Baptist Church in Worcester for family only and will be live streamed for the public, as the church has not officially begun to conduct public services due to Covid-19 restrictions still in place.
To view the funeral service, please visit the following link. https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/8395391422?pwd=dU4zZm1FUmU5WTVtUkVXS0tzWmQzUT09

Donations may be sent to the YMCA of Central MA, Office of Institutional Advancement (766 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610), www.ymcaofcm.org/donatenow an organization which was close to Sylvia's heart. An annual program to honor her love of children's theatre and education will be established at Camp Blanchard in her memory or to Girls Inc. of Worcester, 125 Providence Street, Worcester, MA 01604, Attn: Development or by visiting www.girlsincworcester.org