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Life story

" Sylvia Broderick was good with people. Her success as a middle school teacher and in customer-facing roles--the small construction company, as a real estate agent, and even with an international conglomerate--proved ideal environments for her skills.
At home, she mastered the kitchen, carrying on the core of an Italian family tradition started by parents Olympia and Ralph Fantasia, long-time Boston-area restaurateurs.
She also perfected household matriarchy. She was the North Star for children Pia and Sean, and a constant provider of private-life stability for Tony, her faithful, work-obsessed husband.
While always comfortable around others, Sylvia, who died April 2 at age 83, was at her best on her own.
Early on, that often meant on a diligently trained horse, preparing for the next dressage test.
There were the years tending to her prized finches and Gloster canaries.
Then it was racing through an agility course--a playground-like set of obstacles for dogs--guiding a pup to yet another first-place run.
Later, it was amid rolling fields, commanding a champion Border Collie in a national sheep-herding trial, or practicing for the next trial with her dogs and her sheep in her pasture.
She became so accomplished at her passions that calling them hobbies would be short-sighted. Besides, where would that leave the needlepoint, loom weaving, macramé, orchid growing, and Reiki she picked up along the way?
Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, she stayed in the Boston area until graduating from Boston College. Her curiosity led her to the University of Maryland, and a Master's Degree in Biology. Love led her back to Boston to settle down with Tony.
In 1976, his career path led the family--which by then included three horses as well as the two kids--to the Virginia countryside. There, she hated, then accepted, the red clay. And she grew, professionally and personally.
She taught science at Warrenton Junior High, dabbled in real estate (it wasn't for her, but she did sell a house), and worked at an IBM semiconductor factory.
She was, of course, a mother first and foremost, never missing a horse show, soccer game, or an opportunity to make Pia's or Sean's life a bit better.
Home-cooked, from-scratch dinners were a staple. Tony's work took him around the world, but his favorite meals were always at home.
In, around, and after it all, she still made time for herself, though she was never truly alone.
She had the horses, the birds, and the countless dogs--Borzois, Salukis, Poodles, Greyhounds (English and Italian), a Pharaoh Hound, an Alaskan Malamute, a Lab, a few mutts, and of course, the Border Collies.
Alongside them, she thrived. And she was happy.

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Sylvia (Jane) Fantasia Broderick was born April 7, 1941 in Arlington, Mass. and died April 2, 2025, in Warrenton, Va. A gathering to celebrate her life will be announced. In lieu of flowers and other offerings, please consider a donation to the Fauquier SPCA or your favorite animal-related cause.
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