Obituary of Sylvia Coppola

Sylvia Mary Luzinas Coppola of Saratoga Springs, NY passed away peacefully from leukemia on Dec. 26. She was surrounded by her family. Sylvia was a wonderful wife, mom, sister and friend loving, generous and loyal. Sylvia was born on May 8, 1947 in Amsterdam, NY to Oliver Luzinas and Mary (Dziewit) Luzinas. She attended Wilbur H. Lynch High School and graduated from State University College at Buffalo in 1969 with a degree in education. For her entire career, Sylvia worked as an advocate for children. First she was a senior caseworker with the Montgomery County Child Welfare Department, supervising children in foster care. For several years, she was an instructional aide with the Niskayuna School District, working with special needs children at Glencliff Elementary School in Rexford, NY. In 2005, Sylvia retired from the New York State Abuse and Maltreatment Register (Child Abuse Hotline) as a Child Protective Specialist. In retirement, Sylvia enjoyed being outdoors. She loved working in flower gardens for herself, family members and friends. She prided herself on creating and maintaining beautiful flower beds. Sylvia also loved being near water, in places like Bolton Landing in upstate NY, Cape Cod and Long Boat Key in Florida. Sylvia enjoyed working with others and took great pleasure in helping Sister Maria Rosa and special friends bake in the kitchen at St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady, NY. The team there prepared baked goods for the church's many bake sales throughout the year and their annual Festa in June. Sylvia is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Frederick M. Coppola; her twin daughters, Rachel M. Coppola of Boston, MA and Sarah E. Coppola of Austin, TX; her brother and sister-in-law, Edmund and Elaine Luzine of Guilderland, NY; her sister, Frances Luzinas of Amsterdam, NY; brother-in-law, Richard Spinks of Piseco, NY; sister-in-law, Linda Luzinas of Blossvale, NY; and brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Blanche Payne of Rexford, NY. She is predeceased by her sister, Janice Spinks; and her brother, Eric Luzinas. In lieu of flowers, Sylvia's family is asking that donations be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or www.dana-farber.org/gift. There will be no viewing hours. A funeral mass will be held at noon on Thursday, Jan. 2 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Road, Glenville, NY.