Sylvia Genandes Bush's Obituary
Sylvia Genandes Bush passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Miami. She was 97 years old. Sylvia was born in New York City on August 25, 1919, the eldest daughter of Austrian immigrants. She excelled in school, even skipping a grade, but did not attend college as the Great Depression compelled her to work after high school. She married her beloved first husband, Arthur Genandes, in 1941, and together they had two daughters, Tina and Harriet. The family moved to Miami in 1948. When her husband fell ill, Sylvia became in essence a single parent. She worked multiple jobs to keep the family afloat, yet still managed to raise her daughters with love, keep their home in impeccable condition, and take care of her husband. The strength, tenacity, and love she showed during these trying years was evident throughout her whole life. Sylvia was highly respected In the woman workplace - a rarity in the 1950s. Among her jobs, she was bookkeeper for Mother Kelly's night club in Miami Beach, and for Miami Barber College (of which she became part-owner), and head of the accounting department at the law firm of Carey, Dwyer and Cole.
After her husband passed away, Sylvia continued to work and launched her daughters into the world. After many years on her own, she finally found love again, and married her second husband, Harry Bush, in 1981. When they retired, they enjoyed many happy golden years together, traveling the country, volunteering in the community, building a summer cabin in the Carolina mountains, and watching their grandchildren grow. After Harry died in 2003, Sylvia was once again on her own, but was not through enjoying life. She continued to stay busy, cooking, conducting personal business, traveling to visit family, and cherishing her great-grandchildren. Strangers were universally shocked to learn her age, thanks to her youthful appearance and attitude. As her physical health declined, her mental health remained forever young, and continued to occupy a revered place as her family's matriarch. She will be missed beyond words. Sylvia is survived by her daughters Tina Siegel and Harriet Friedman; son-in-law Allan Friedman; grandchildren Arthur Siegel (Katie Quinn), Seth Friedman (Heather Friedman), Rebecca Frank (Michael Frank), and Robby Friedman (Rachel Friedman); and her great-grandchildren Elliott, Autumn, Ayla, Betsy, Julia, and Anna; sister Addie Tytell and brother David (Ruth) Teitel. Donations in memory of Sylvia Genandes Bush can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1:00pm at Mt. Nebo-Miami Memorial Gardens, 5505 N.W. 3rd Street, Miami, Florida. Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 865-2353
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