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Honoring Sylvia Zaage

Updated: Oct 2



Protectors remembers fondly and celebrates the life and legacy of Sylvia Zaage. Sylvia was a key member of the board of directors of Protectors since its early days and served as its Membership Secretary for decades.


Who among us can ever forget the Bulletin collating “parties” held at space graciously donated by the Art Lab at Snug Harbor, arranged with help from her loving husband and artist Herman Zaage who taught printmaking there. The gatherings of volunteers were times of fun, laughter and snacks, and the collating, stapling and labelling of our newsletter ran as a well-oiled machine under Sylvia’s close supervision.


Sylvia was the consummate Membership Secretary, seeming to know every member personally and always finding ways to connect with or answer a member’s question. Every Membership Secretary since has had big shoes to fill to follow in Sylvia’s footsteps.


I first met “Mrs. Zaage” as a student at New Dorp High School in the mid-70s where she worked in the chemistry lab. Sylvia, along with Dick Buegler, my biology teacher, modeled what it means to be actively concerned about environmental and social causes.


Sylvia’s biggest calling was in being a forceful advocate for global peace. Locally, she served on the board of Peace Action Staten Island with the same passion she brought to Protectors. She also supported voter education initiatives and progressive causes.


Sylvia also lent her house as an impromptu meeting place for our once-a-month off-Island hikes to Harriman State Park for many years. It always felt like home.


Sylvia was always self-effacing, content in avoiding the spotlight. She summed up her lifelong philosophy in this often quoted remark: “Knowing and working with people who are the movers and shakers of our community has enriched and given meaning to my life.” Well done Sylvia!


Hillel Lofaso

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I knew Sylvia from my days at Ralph Mc Kee High School. She came in a few days a week to straighten out theel mess that we called science labs. Is there an appropriate organization she would have like a donation made?

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Lovely tribute. I knew Sylvia many years ago from Protectors (I attended some fun collating parties that she organized.) She also introduced me to SI Citizens for Clean Air. She was always encouraging, and was funny as well. A young-hearted person and a gift to SI.

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