Sylvia Baxter, 85, of Dennis Port, MA, died on October 31st, 2023, after a 5-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born Sylvia Imbriano in Mirabella, Elcano, Italy, in 1938 to Quirino and Catarina Imbriano during the second World War. She grew up on her family farm and then immigrated with her family to the United States when she was 17. She became a US citizen and worked as a seamstress in downtown Boston. During these years of her life, she enjoyed participating in the local nightlife, eventually meeting her future husband Joseph Baxter following an impromptu singing performance in a nightclub. Sylvia loved to sing and dance and often was the first out on the dance floor.

Sylvia and Joe were married in 1963, had two children, and moved to Melrose, MA. Sylvia was energetic and an extremely hard worker. She had a couple of careers, first working for Carlo's Beauty Salon while attending Melrose Beauty Academy where she obtained her cosmetology license all while raising her two children in their wonderful Laurel St. neighborhood. Later when her children were older, she decided to pursue her love for creating food and worked for several years at Tuft's University in the catering department as Chef Garde-manger, servicing executive lunches and dinners. Later in life, she learned to play golf and worked part time at the Mount Hood snack bar where she also spent many a day playing golf with good friends. Following retirement, Sylvia and Joe moved to Dennis Port, MA, for their golden years. They could often be found golfing on the green with their friends, in Dennis Port as well as at their winter condo at Miles Grant in Stuart, Florida. She was an avid gardener who loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family. She adored spending time with her grandchildren and granddog, Kona. Joseph passed away in 2018, following 55 years of marriage. After Joe's death, she longed to see her hometown once again and at the age of 81 returned to visit Mirabella with her cousin, Caterina Caso.

Sylvia is survived by her two loving children, Deborah Dodge and her husband David, and John Baxter and his wife Anne. Sylvia was a doting grandmother to Emma and Meredith Dodge as well as James and Charles Baxter. A devoted sibling to four, she is survived by her brother Modestino Imbriano and his wife Idiana, as well as sister-in-law Antonietta Imbriano. She was predeceased by her brother Prisco (husband of Antonietta), her sister Angelina Conte and her husband Adam, as well as sister Rosa Cappuccio and her husband Antonio. She is also survived by Joe's brother, John Baxter and his wife Brenda, who were wonderful friends as well, and Joe's sister Jeanne (Baxter) Levine, many wonderful nieces, nephews, and longtime friends.

Services will be held at Gately Funeral Home, 79 W Foster St, Melrose, MA. Visiting hours on Sunday November 5th from 3-6pm. Funeral mass will be held at St Joseph's church, 770 Salem St in Malden, MA, on Monday November 6th at 11am, with interment at Holy Cross cemetery, 175 Broadway in Malden, MA.