Sylvia C. Tencza

Sylvia Tencza, peacefully entered eternal life; going to her heavenly reward on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024; she was 87. Sylvia was born on March 13th, 1937, the youngest of six children to George and Sophie (Sudol) Tlusty. She was raised in Wallington and attended Pope Pius High School in Passaic, NJ. In 1956, she and Thomas Tencza began their courtship, which led to a devoted fifty-three-year marriage; he predeceased her on October 9th, 2012. With Tom’s encouragement, Sylvia attended night school and secured a degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University while she was employed as an executive secretary at Becton Dickinson & Co. in Rutherford, NJ. Both Sylvia and Tom were very proud of their Polish heritage, customs and traditions. Since Tom’s passing in 2012, Sylvia has increased her engagement with her husband’s alma mater, Seton Hall, specifically the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and supplemented gifts to the Pope St. John Paul II Initiative at Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, as well as student travel to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. On October 9th, 2017, Seton Hall University honored Sylvia by presenting her with an Honorary Doctorate, in recognition of all her efforts and devotion to the University. She attributed her efforts in honor of her husband Tom, and all his scientific contributions to our society. Sylvia was a member of the Wallington V.F.W. Pavlik Koster Post 2640 Ladies Auxiliary, and enjoyed Christmas gatherings at her home, skiing at Vail, attending Chopin Singing Society Concerts, visiting California wineries, and beautifying her surroundings as a "Master Gardener." Sylvia was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Jean (Martinek), Emil, Sister Theresa Marie O.P. (Sophie), Irene, and Chester (Chet), niece, Georgene and nephew, Daniel. She will be remembered fondly and forever by her many surviving nephews and nieces. Visiting 4pm - 7pm, Tuesday, September 17th, and 9am - 9:30am Wednesday, September 18th, Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Avenue, Wallington, NJ 07057. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 18th, at 10am, at The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 127 Paterson Avenue, Wallington, NJ. Sylvia will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Thomas and the other members of her beloved family, at St. Michael's Cemetery, 120 Saddle River, Road, South Hackensack, NJ. http://www.WarnerAndWozniak.com