Obituary of Sylvia Cerna

Obituary for Sylvia Anna Cerna (nee Barnucz)

October 26, 1928 – April 17, 2025

Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear mother, Sylvia Cerna, formerly of Aylmer, Ontario, on Thursday, April 17^th at Terrace Lodge, Township of Malahide.  Beloved wife of Nicholas Cerna (d. 2002). Loved Mom of Elizabeth Zorgel and husband Randy, Nicholas Cerna Jr., Richard Cerna and wife Christine, Sylvia Cerna Jr.  Cherished Grandma to Amanda (Lee), Stephen (Danielle), Brian (Megan), Kevin, Kathy (Cecil), Miranda, Alexander, Alain, Julianne, Marc, Natalie, Nicholas, Michael and Beth.  Great-Grandma to Samuel, Andrew, Max, Ayden, Hailee, Aubree, Nolan, Paislee and Reven.  Also survived by brother Dr. Francis Barnes and wife Gloria.  Predeceased by son Robert Cerna (2021) and wife Helene (2022) and son Francis Cerna (2012) and parents Frank Barnes (Barnucz) and Elizabeth (Szabo) and infant sister Elizabeth. Mom was born in Niagara Falls but grew up first in Glen Myer, then on a farm on Carter Rd. in Malahide Township.  She and Dad were married in 1945 and in 1951 purchased a tobacco farm on Anger School Rd.  Mom would always cook up a storm for the harvest gangs and everyone looked forward to the Saturday menu of goulash and homemade donuts and Sunday’s Rum cake.  Fiercely proud of her Hungarian heritage, she liked to follow Hungarian cooking and traditions.  She was equally proud to be a Canadian.  Mom was a charter member of the Catholic Women’s League that formed in 1950, was a Calton Women’s Institute Life Member, was president of Assumption School’s PTA in the 60’s and was a 4-H Leader through more than 12 projects.  Mom’s claim to fame was when she threatened to tie herself to a big established maple tree on the Carter Rd. farm, scheduled to be cut down by Malahide township as it was half on township property.  Mom won that dispute and the maple tree still stands today. Visitation will be held at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral home, Aylmer, on Monday from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows R.C. Church on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Interment, St. Ladislaus Cemetery. Donations to the Arthritis Society or the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.  Share memories or condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com