Sylvia Mary McIntosh, 84, of Torrance, California and formerly South Pasadena, California and Melbourne, Australia, left us on Saturday January 27, 2024. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loving caregivers after a long illness which, though difficult, allowed her to spend cherished time with her children, grandchildren and countless friends, a time that was filled with joy, celebration and gratitude.

Sylvia was born on December 23, 1939 to Amelia (Mim) and Thomas Cleary in Melbourne, Australia. She was one of five children: Christine; Tommy, Moya, and Colleen. As the oldest sibling, she was in many ways a mother to her younger siblings, helping to raise them with love and compassion, and many fond memories.

After graduating from Our Lady of Mercy College with her degree in teaching, Sylvia looked to see the world, and in December 1963, she bravely embarked on a journey across the ocean to America, and then to Montreal to teach a large class of first graders. On that boat, the Oranje, Sylvia describes meeting “a quiet young Scottish man” named John, who was bound for New York to work in the computer field. It was during this journey when the two fell in love. When John asked for Sylvia’s hand in marriage (after being engaged once before), Sylvia famously told him “I won’t become your second fiance, but I will become your first wife.” And that she did; Sylvia and John were married on September 19, 1964 in New York City, and then later decided to settle in Los Angeles, California and raise four children there.

Sylvia was a wonderful, loving teacher for many years–starting out teaching first graders, and then spending the past five decades as a piano teacher. She touched the lives of many hundreds of lucky students. When it came time to retire, Sylvia and John moved to Graeagle, California and spent several happy years enjoying the mountains of northern California, before John passed away suddenly in 2001. Today we celebrate that Sylvia and John are finally reunited, dancing a waltz together, playing canasta, or sitting at a casino table playing blackjack. We know for sure that Sylvia is lighting up the place with her beautiful smile, laughing, drinking her wine and celebrating being back together with John, her mother Mim, father Thomas, brother Tommy and sister Moya.

Sylvia leaves behind her four devoted children: Heather, Duncan, Gillian and Moira; ten grandchildren who she loved deary: Christopher, Cierra, Caden, Cidney, Cameron, Maeve, James, Mim, Jonathan and Elisa; two great grandchildren: Ollie and Ember; two treasured sisters: Christine and Colleen; and her beloved goddaughter Aimee and her children Jasper and Emmett. Sylvia touched the lives of her family, friends, students and countless others who loved her.

Our family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from family and friends. We respectfully ask that you abstain from sending flowers, and instead consider contributions to ALS Association (als.org) or Hospice Foundation of America (hospicefoundation.org) in Sylvia’s name. We also encourage you to celebrate Sylvia’s remarkable life by sharing memories on her memorial website: everloved.com/life-of/sylvia-…. Lastly, memorial arrangements will be posted on the website when they are finalized.

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