Sylvia M. Sherwood
June 9, 1936 ~ November 27, 2025
Sylvia Sherwood (Clukey) of Portland, Maine passed away on Thanksgiving November 27, 2025.
She was born in Waterville, Maine to Earl Edward and Rose Ouellette Clukey. She was the youngest of six children and grew up near her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many friends. Sylvia shared early memories of Sunday gatherings after church at her grandparents’ home and many stories of skating, sledding, and going to the movies with her brothers and sisters. Sylvia loved being around family her entire life.
She attended Waterville High School and Thomas Business College before marrying Richard Kennedy Clifford and having 4 children. They lived in Shawmut, Maine. Upon Richard’s death (1969), the family moved to Yarmouth Maine. Sylvia was married to Gordon Sherwood for 47 years; he passed on Thanksgiving Day 2017. Together they enjoyed going to camp, boating, renovating property, socializing with friends and family, and traveling to Europe, South America, Canada, and throughout the United States, often for family events. They lived in Ohio and South Carolina before returning to Maine. Most recently, Sylvia lived at Ashton Gardens in Portland, where she made many new friends. Over the years, Sylvia worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and she was a realtor as well as co-owner of Gordon’s Deli and a small trucking business.
Sylvia was an adventurous person and “good sport.” She was an avid swimmer and enjoyed skiing, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She ran a 5K race in her 60s and did CrossFit in her 80s. She encouraged all her children and grandchildren to go to college and pursue various degrees. Sylvia believed that education was a gift and she was proud of her family’s accomplishments. To fulfill a lifelong dream and as a testament to her courage, she enrolled as a freshman at the University of Southern Maine in 2023, taking online and in person courses. She loved the students, faculty, and learning environment. She learned to use the computer and completed assignments with pride. One of her favorite assignments was to explore Maine history. She wrote a beautiful story about her mother who voted in the first election where women were allowed to vote. She planned to write more stories upon graduation (which she would have completed in May 2026).
Sylvia is survived by her children: Jeanne and Larry Stwarka; Jane and Mike O’Brien; Judy and Peter Cohn; Father Ed Clifford; stepson Jeff Sherwood.
She loved her grandchildren and their significant others: Michael Stwarka and Melonye Cleveland, David Stwarka and Shakira Botello, Jonathan and Megan Stwarka, Jennifer Cohn and Joshua Wills, Stephanie Cohn and Aaron Weber, Amy Cohn and Tim Shulga, Scott O’Brien, Alison O’Brien, and Molly O’Brien.
She adored her 3 great grandchildren Vivienne, Simon, and Lily Stwarka and looked forward to the arrival of Ori Clifford Wills (to be announced). Lorenzo Stwarka preceded her death.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her siblings – Shirley and Eudor Loubier, Martha and Rudolph Mahue; Earl and Gloria Clukey, Jimmy Clukey, Billy Clukey and many nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered by her nieces and nephews, family, and friends for her sense of humor, kindness, and homemade cookies.
Visiting Hours will be held from 4-6PM on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at St. Martha’s Church, 30 Portland Road, Kennebunk with The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri as Principal Celebrant. The Very Reverend Edward Clifford will be the Homilist. Interment will take place at a later date at St. Francis Cemetery in Waterville.
Services
Visiting Hours: Monday, December 1, 2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center
300 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 11:00 am
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May many fond memories be a blessing to the family and friends of Sylvia. It was truly a joy to have been able to spend some time with her in past years. May God grant her eternal peace.
So saddened to hear of aunt Margie’s passing.She always had a smile and a gentle loving way about her. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Jeannie,Judy,Jane Father Eddie and family as we all reminisce many memories of a lovely lady.
God bless her😀she is the best ever😀god bless her
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your mother well, and will keep her soul in my prayers. God bless her with peace. I’ll also be praying for you, too. I hope that your heart finds some comfort in knowing that she is with her Beloved Creator.
May she rest in peace.
Michele Bernier
Your Mother was a wonderful person who cared about people and how they were doing.
She always had time for people and genuinely cared about others.
May your dear Mother rest in God’s eternal peace.
God bless you and your family Fr. Ed.
Silvia was always so sweet and kind, Jim and I always enjoyed our time with her. May she be at peace in the arms of Jesus🙏
My prayers and condolences to the family🙏
Please accept our most sincere condolences on Aunt Margie’s passing. We were saddened to learn of the news as we know first-hand what a wonderful person she was. We were hoping to see her at Jennifer and Joshua’s recent baby shower in October in Las Vegas, but learned she was not well enough to travel.
Growing up I had 22 aunts and uncles (half by marriage). Ten were on the Clukey side. Aunt Margie is my youngest Aunt. She was just twelve years old when I was born. Over my formative years, my parents told me to use Aunt Margie’s life as a role model. She was fun, funny, smart and kind. She was someone to emulate. As her niece- I did my best. However, I was no match when it came to her cookie baking skills. Like many, I too enjoyed her cookies when I visited her and Uncle Eddie at their home in Shawmut, Maine.
For the past 10 years, I would watch the TV series Blue Bloods. One of my favorite segments was the Sunday Dinners. No matter what, the family would gather at the table after church. I probably liked that show because that was also the “Clukey Family Tradition”. Aunt Margie’s obituary perfectly captured those early memories of gathering at the Clukey Compound on Sundays that were so important to the family.
Ron and I feel privileged to have celebrated good times with Aunt Margie and Gordon, including attending Peter and Judy’s wedding at the Bethel Inn, her Birthday celebration (with all the lobster you could eat) in Rhode Island, and the ordination of my Dear Cousin Eddie – Fr. Edward Clifford.
More recently, I would call Aunt Margie from time to time to see how she was doing. She was always optimistic and proud of the family and your many accomplishments. She told me even though she attended Thomas College in Waterville, Maine and had diverse work experiences she was continuing her education by attending the University of Southern Maine to keep her mind sharp and would soon be graduating. What I did not know was she was a member of the Senior CrossFit Community (another role model activity).
I know that many will remember well her kindness, love and sincere devotion to the entire family. I also know that you will be grateful for the years that you were so privileged to share with her. Those were the years in which she taught you by her example.
The loss of a loved one leaves a tremendous void as Ron and I, unfortunately, know all too well. Ron and I truly hope that the entire family will find comfort in the many memories of Aunt Margie’s life. We feel very fortunate to have been a small part of her life.
Even though Aunt Margie is no longer with us on earth, I know that she will never leave our hearts because on Thanksgiving Day Heaven’s Population grew.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your extraordinary mother. She was enrolled this past fall in my French 101 class at USM. She decided not to continue with French, but even though she was only in the class for a limited time, she really made a strong impression on me. She found the subject very tough, but she gave it her best — attending tutoring sessions and staying after class. When I learned her age, I was deeply impressed. Now, in reading her obituary, I learned so much more about her — how active and interested in life she was. She told me her kids kept her going at college, encouraging her to finish. She expressed such pride in her children’s achievements and intended to do them honor by getting her own diploma, but in life, from what I can tell, she had a full degree in excellent humanity. Peace to you all.
So sorry to hear of this Jane. Thinking of you and sending much positive energy and love.