August 15, 1931 – October 16, 2023
Sylvia Marie Ropar Todd Hammersley, 92, of Friendswood, Texas passed away on October 16, 2023. She was born on August 15, 1931 to her parents Catherine Carneluti Ropar and James Ropar in Lowellville, Ohio. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Lincoln High School during World War II. Some of her “first jobs” included collecting aluminum foil for soldiers and teaching her mother the information she needed to gain her U.S. citizenship. She went on to Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where she played clarinet in the marching band and orchestra, earned her B.S. degree in Education, and met her husband, Leslie James Todd. They were married in 1953 and moved to Baltimore, Maryland while Leslie completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. Sylvia taught elementary school during their time in Baltimore. They moved to Grand Island, New York in 1957 and Friendswood, Texas in 1972. They had four children. Elizabeth Ann Boyd (Richard), Barbara Ellen Wedhorn, Matthew James Todd, and Mark Allen Todd. Leslie died in 1980. Sylvia married Vernon C. Hammersley in 1994 and they had 20 wonderful years together. Vernon died in 2014.
Sylvia became involved with Special Olympics while raising her son, Mark, and held a variety of coaching positions, including bowling, baseball, soccer and swimming. She was involved in other organizations such as the National Down’s Syndrome Congress, Special Friends, the American Recorder Society, the Hangar Squares, and the Cloghoppers.
Some of the things Sylvia was most proud of include taking care of her family and raising her children, helping Mark reach his God-given potential, bringing her mother into the family home during the last 14 years of her mother’s life, and serving on the Friendswood Methodist Church Board of Trustees. She helped do the original landscape plantings at the church and made sure the grounds were maintained for many years. She loved playing the bells for Sunday services.
She is survived by her 4 children, 8 grandchildren, Danielle Todd, Benjamin Bazemore (Courtney), Gabrielle Palmero (Edward), Corianne Bazemore-James (Rory), Michelle Van Der Westhuizen (Peter), James Todd (Marielle), Megan Dabney (Ryan), Kelvin Todd, and 4 great-grandchildren, Sophia Palmero, Violet and Sebastian Van Der Westhuizen, and Broxen Bazemore.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M. at Friendswood Methodist Church, 110 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546 with Rev. Sam McRae officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
9 thoughts on “Sylvia Marie Ropar Todd Hammersley”
Condolences to Ms. Sylvia’s family. She was a beautiful woman whose love of life and family was felt by anyone who met her! We will always remember her for the support she gave to those in need especially when we were relocating to Texas. I enjoyed working with her on Special Olympics programs where she was the athletic director for Special Friends. Ms. Sylvia never quit, she loved her family and will be missed. May she rest in the arms of Our Lord!
My condolences to the family. Ms. Todd was a sweet lady that would always talk to me about everything and anything when she came to eat at La Casita will miss our small conversations with her and Mark…. Hugs to Mark and the family love y’all Oreo.
Sylvia and her first husband Les were two people we got to know when we first moved to Friendswood in the late 70’s. We help them recover from the floods of 79. May her soul Rest in Peace and may God’s Perpetual Light shine upon her.
Ms Sylvia was an icon at FUMC – in so many ways. Always there with a smile, an idea, helping hand, or supporting Mark's participation in church. Her work with Betty Marx and Diane Lake to feed and help the least of the community was immensely appreciated. I will miss her laughter, quick wit, wisdom, and insight. She truly understood autism, and the challenges.
We pray for the soul of Sylvia and pray for Mark during this difficult time.
Maria, Melissa and Ray Gomez
I am sorry for your lost
i am praying for mark at this diffcult time,
Sylvia, had a life well-lived and so many benefited. She had tremendous talents, including playing with ease her collection of music for Renaissance recorders. Sylvia’s wisdom and warm smile always warmed my heart. Our condolences to Matt, Mark, Barbara and Beth.
Beth, Barb, Matt and Mark,
My deepest condolences to you and your families at this time of loss. May our Heavenly Father bless and comfort each of you.