Sylvester, Eileen Marie

Eileen Marie Sylvester, 65, passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at her home in Cedar Rapids after a courageous battle against cancer. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at St. Patrick's Church, conducted by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, and one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Burial: St. John's Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Those left to cherish her memory are two children, Todd Sylvester of Naples, Fla., and Cara (Nick) Streff of Marion; three grandchildren, Mara Chamberlain, Colin and Anna Streff; nine siblings, Lynda Goodell of Phoenix, Ariz., JoAnn (Cliff) Rice of Berthoud, Colo., Katie Barta (Roger Waud) of Alexandria, Va., Jon Barta of Milton, Fla., Paul Barta of Powhatan, Ark., and Charles (Sheila) Barta, Margaret (Bill) Cones, Jean Johnson and Matt (Pam) Barta of Cedar Rapids. She also leaves behind her longtime companion, Donald Bradford of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Goodell and Willie Johnson.

Eileen, the daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Kramer) Barta, was born July 14, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She attended grade school at St. Patrick's and graduated from LaSalle High School. She raised her family in Cedar Rapids until moving to Florida in 1989. She returned to Cedar Rapids in May 2012 to create incredible memories with her grandchildren.

Our memory of Eileen includes the infectious laugh that brought smiles to everyone who knew her, her kind and gentle spirit and her energy level that knew no bounds. She loved exploring and experiencing new things. Her greatest joy in life was being a mother and grandmother.

She will be greatly missed.

A memorial fund has been established.

Please sign the online guest book for Eileen at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Feb. 2, 2013 in The Gazette