Sylvia Keith Lloyd, 89, passed away Sunday, October 11 in Savannah Georgia, with daughter Wendy at her bedside.  She was born January 2, 1931 in Manchester Connecticut to parents Everett Taylor Keith and Ruth Jones Keith.  After graduating  from Cushing Academy in Ashburnham Massachusetts, she continued her education at Stephens College and Boston University, where she received her degree in Music.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Marilyn Heckerd, and her son James Heckerd Jr.

Sylvia was a classically trained vocalist, songstress, and piano player.  Her beautiful voice was celebrated throughout her life.  Whenever she sang at gatherings of family and friends, she always blessed those present with her singing.  Her rendition of “O Holy Night” at Christmas brought special silence to the room and left many teary-eyed.  

In Gardner MA where she lived from the 1950’s to the early 1980’s, she was a member of the Unitarian Church choir and soloist.  She taught elementary school music for a time in the Royalston, MA school district.  In the early 1970’s, she formed the acclaimed big band, The Common Good, with six other professional musicians and played throughout New England.  When she relocated to Savannah in the 1980’s, she owned and operated The Corner Closet boutique.  A dress from her shop was worn in a party scene of the film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

In later years, she enjoyed visits, calls, and letters from family and friends, dining out at local Savannah restaurants, watching her favorite TV shows, solving a challenging crossword, and playing Trivial Pursuit.

She is survived by one son Stephen M. Lloyd of Acworth GA; two daughters Wendy M. Lloyd of Bethesda MD and Rebecca J. Orcutt and son-in-law Gary Orcutt of North Brookfield MA;  one brother, Timothy J. Keith, and his partner Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill GA.  She is also survived by two grandchildren, Melissa T. Kujala of Templeton MA and Andrew L. Tibbets of North Brookfield; two great grandchildren, Tyler Ellis and Lillian Paydos; two nephews, Casey H Keith of Queens NY and Brendan T. Keith of Manhattan NY; and three cousins, Martha Leander of Cape Cod, Jeff Keith of Manchester, and Debbi Samson of Estero FL.

A private service will be held in Manchester, CT.  Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.