Sylvia “Sibby” Addie Harper of North Haven passed away peacefully at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Sylvia was born in New Haven on Feb. 17, 1950. She was the only daughter of the late Gladys Mae Harper, née Brown and Lubbie Harper, Sr.
Sylvia attended public schools in New Haven and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1969. She then attended Strayer College in Washington D.C., where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, Sibby returned to New Haven and joined Southern New England Telephone company (SNET), from where she retired after several decades of service.
Sibby was an affectionate, strong woman, stern, kind, and giving all rolled into one. You never needed to ask what was on her mind. She told you! She also cared for both her mother and stepfather, Robert Harris, during their later years, sacrificing her time to meet their daily needs.
Sibby is survived by her two older brothers, The Honorable Justice Lubbie Harper, Jr. and Lawrence Harper, who were at her side during her last difficult days; loving sisters-in-law Twila J. Harper, Judith A Harper, and Terry Harley; nieces, Lyjune A. Harper and Laura A. Harper; and nephews, Attorney Lubbie Harper, III, Retired Master Sergeant, Lawrence (Amy) Harper, Jr., and Officer Lane A. Harper.
She is also survived by her great niece, Dy Shynic Conner; and a host of great nephews, Ian G. (Kim) Pollard, Justin L. Harper, Jared J. (LaToya) Pollard, Cohen A. Harper, Corey A. Harper, Officer Dimitris A. (Officer Britney) Harper, Christopher A. Harper, Jeremy A. Harper, Jackson J. Pollard, Mason L. Pollard, and Kaiden I. Harper; and a host of other close relatives and friends.
Sibby loved her family immensely. She spent a lot of time with her brothers, attended innumerable family gatherings, and enjoyed time with her many cousins, nieces, and nephews, each of whom loved her greatly.
Sibby was an active lifetime member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Elm City Chapter. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, a national organization. She loved to travel, and took trips to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and visited family members throughout the South. She also enjoyed Broadway shows, the Casino, and making ceramics.
Sibby was a faithful and devoted member of St Matthews’ Unison Free Will Baptist Church in New Haven, where, under the pastoral ship of Bishop Robert Gay and now presiding Pastor Kevin C. Hardy, she served in many capacities alongside her church family.
We love you Sylvia (Sibby) Addie Harper and we will miss you dearly, but we rejoice and celebrate your life and the reunion you will have with your loved ones. We are privileged to have a lifetime of memories of our time spent with you.
A celebration of Sylvia’s life will take place Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew’s UFW Baptist Church, 400 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Wednesday at the church from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Interment will be Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. Repast following burial at St. Matthews UFW Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lubbie Harper Scholarship Fund, https://give.newhaven.edu (please select “other” under the designation section, then type Justice Harper Scholarship in the text box). Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Harper family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com