Sylvia Glickstein Merkadeau died peacefully with family on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, in San Mateo, Calif.
She was born on July 1, 1933, in Dubienka, Poland, and came to Kansas City, Mo., in 1938. She attended Washington University in St. Louis and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She married Ronald Merkadeau on May 10, 1955, and moved to San Mateo in 1966. Sylvia is survived by her four children and their families, Marsha Williams (Mark), Stuart Merkadeau (Lisa), Pamela Merkadeau (Cary Wiest), and Diane Merkadeau (James Kramer); her grandchildren, Ryan and Susan Williams, Rachel, Eli, Joseph and Olga Merkadeau, and Riley and Makenna Kramer; her sister, Martha Cohn (Sidney); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Morton Merkadeau; her parents, Bernard and Esther (Abend) Glickstein; and her brother, Aaron Glickstein (Connie).
Sylvia was an accomplished realtor for more than 25 years and took great pleasure in helping her many clients find their right home. She was a member of Peninsula Temple Beth El for 45 years and active throughout her life in numerous community organizations including American Association of University Women, Second Harvest Food Bank, Senior Focus, San Mateo County Commission on Aging, League of Women Voters, Highlands Community Association, Peninsula Symphony and San Francisco Symphony.
Sylvia enjoyed the opera, symphony, theater, art and the beach and sharing those with her family and friends. Sylvia was always an inspiration to her family, friends and all who knew her.
A funeral service was held at Peninsula Temple Beth El.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sylvia G. Merkadeau Endowment Fund at the Peninsula JCC, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404 or your local community food bank.