In Loving Memory of Sylvia Marchetti

Sylvia Marchetti passed away April 26, 2016 in Springer, New Mexico. Sylvia was born November 11, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, the oldest daughter of Norman and Sylvia Surman McKinney. Proudly from Philadelphia, she graduated from Cheltenham High School, in Elkins Park, PA in 1944 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949.
Sylvia wanted to see the world and, after graduation from Penn, she moved to Raton and taught kindergarten for a year. She loved “the West” and in 1951, in an amazing act of youth, courage, and faith, she returned to New Mexico and married Jim Marchetti. Over their lifetime together Sylvia mastered the pioneering life, persevered, and raised 8 children as they built the family ranch. Sylvia’s passion for theater, music, books, education, children and teaching gave meaning to the years.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 58 years, two sons, Bob and Bill, son-in-law Kerman Lew, two infant children, one infant granddaughter, one sister, Norma Schmidt, and three brothers, Jack, Ken, and Bob McKinney.
Sylvia is survived by one sister Joan McKinney of North Carolina; life-long friends Ann Herbert Scott and Mary Louise Till, children James Jr. (companion Eva Hanna) of Raton; Kenneth (Jackie) of Colorado; Sylvia Anne of South Dakota; Anna Maria of California;
Rosemary (Norman “Punch”) Hennigan of Raton, and Samuel (Nanette) of Wyoming; the mothers of her grandchildren Nadine, Arletta, and Gwen Marchetti. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, May 6, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home in Raton. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 9:30 A.M. at St. Patrick’s – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church recited by Deacon Ed Olona. Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:00 A.M. with Father John Trambley as the celebrant. Rite of Committal will be Saturday afternoon at the Tinaja Cemetery with Deacon Ed Olona officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff at Colfax General Long Term Care in Springer for their amazing grace and tender loving care. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shuler Theater or Arthur Johnson Memorial Library in Raton. Arrangements and celebration of love for Sylvia Marchetti are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.