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Lee, Sylvia E. June 21, 1969 - March 17, 2021

Sylvia Eun-Sook Lee, age 51, mother of two children, unexpectedly passed away on March 17, 2021

Sylvia was born on June 21, 1969 in Seoul, South Korea to Miji Lee and HaiYun Lee. At the age of 3, Sylvia & her family immigrated to the United States to be reunited with her mother, who came earlier to begin working as a registered nurse. She grew up in Howard Beach, Queens, NY. She attended The Mary Louis Academy where she first dreamt of becoming a lawyer. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook in 1990, followed by a JD degree from New York Law School in June 1994.  She worked as an attorney in private practice for many years, and as an Administrative Law Judge in New York City between 2001 and 2006.  She then returned to private practice at Costello, Shea & Gaffney, and subsequently Rawle & Henderson, LLP.  At the time of her death, she was a Complex Claims Director at Public Service Insurance Company. She had married John Rogers and daughter Jessica was born in 1999 and son Dylan in 2001. Her children were the most important part of her life. The marriage ended in divorce.

Sylvia had many passions. She lived life to the fullest in many ways; she welcomed friends with open arms and lit up a room with her laughter. Sylvia had a sweet tooth and enjoyed baking treats, especially when her children were younger.  She enjoyed outdoor activities and was an avid runner for many years and ran several half-marathons.  She also loved to travel; beaches and islands were favorite destinations.  She always had a book nestled in her lap before going to bed.

One of Sylvia’s primary and most consistent passions was maintaining and nurturing friendships with her wide range of friends.  Sylvia made friends easily and cherished those relationships. She leaves behind a loyal, loving and steadfast group of friends who will mourn her passing forever.

She is survived by her two children, Jessica and Dylan, mother Miji Lee(spouse, SungKul Lee), older brother Stephen Lee, aunts, uncles and cousins and her puppy, Leo.  She will be dearly missed by friends, family, and all who knew her. Wake and celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2021, from 2 to 5 pm, at Fred H. McGrath & Son in Bronxville, New York.  A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021, 10 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Parish in Yonkers, New York, followed by interment at 11:30 am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

 

Calling Hours: 2 to 5 pm, Sunday, March 21,2021

Mass: 10am, Monday, March 22,2021, St. Ann’s Church, Yonkers, NY

Condolences(8)

  1. REPLY
    Paul Blutman says

    My condolence on the untimely death of my friend and colleague, Sylvia.. I had the privelege of working with her at 2 lawfirms and saw her develop in to a fair but tenacious adversary who drafted excellent
    Court documents and winning appeals. She also had a great personality and was a respected professional.

  2. REPLY
    Jim Flaherty says

    Very sorry to hear of Sylvia’s passing. I worked with her at Alan Gray for a brief period and will remember her fondly. My deepest sympathy to her entire family.

    RIP Sylvia.

  3. REPLY
    Robert G. Smith says

    I am saddened beyond words to learn of the sudden death of this young, beautiful, talented and brilliant person. She will be missed by many, myself included.

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    Myles Edwards says

    Very sad to learn of the passing of a wonderful person.

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    Rose Boniecki says

    Sending healing prayers & comforting hugs to the family.

  6. REPLY
    RB says

    I am a former classmate of Sylvia’s at NYLS and worked with her at the NYC DOF. Sylvia was a generous and thoughtful person who was always thinking of others and trying to help others around her. I am shocked beyond words about her sudden death at such a young age. I looked at her Facebook page and saw that she always expressed her love and affection for her 2 children, whom must be devastated to lose their mother at far too young an age. Just terrible.

    • REPLY
      Pearl says

      Hi, I am Sylvia’s niece. Thank you for your kind words. I’ve been trying to locate my aunt’s colleagues to connect with as she helped me through law school. She was also my go-to buddy for when I was too shy to attend networking events by myself. We went to the robing ceremony of Judge Michael Park, the first Korean American judge appointed to the Second Circuit! We had plans to study for my bar exam together this past July. I am glad to see her friends, classmates, and colleagues coming together – even virtually. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Sylvia. Thank you.

      • REPLY
        RB says

        No problem. Yes, very sad indeed. When I started law school, Sylvia was just 22 years old I believe but I did not know her in law school but knew of her by sight as she was quite attractive (cute). Then maybe 9 or so years later, I was on a subway train after being laid off from a big law firm and Sylvia recognized me (even though we never spoke in law school) and told me about a job with the city that she was working at the time and I ended up working at the same place she was. Then in 2005, I moved to Korea for an adventure to work at a law firm. When I came back from Japan (after Korea) we ran into each other again somewhere in Manhattan and ended up hanging out a couple times. Yes, life is very fragile and I will not forget Sylvia. She was tough sometimes, but caring! Anyway, you were lucky to have such a caring Aunt to look out for you. Still hard to believe she is gone.

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