Sylvia Carol Segal

Sylvia Carol Mellerud Segal was born in Schenectady, Upstate New York, on October 20, 1935. She was the younger of two daughters born to Rolf and Ingrid Mellerud. She was a first-generation American, as her parents immigrated from Oslo, Norway. The family, in Norway, owned a glass factory. Her mother was a homemaker. Sylvia grew up Lutheran, and was very proud of her Norwegian roots. She visited Norway many times with her family. She was especially close to her family. She grew up in a big house with a lot of property. Her father, Rolf owned a grocery store, and worked in the meat industry. Her best friend, Ingrid and her family shared the house in Schenectady. After high school, Sylvia attended St. Lawrence University and was a member of the prestigious sorority Phi Beta Kappa. She also studied at St. Andrews in Scotland for her semester abroad. After leaving St. Lawrence University, Sylvia attended Penn State University in Pennsylvania and earned a Master's in Psychology. She was then invited to attend the University of Wisconsin, to earn her PhD in psychology. While at Penn State, she met our beloved father Jack in the cafeteria on May 7th, 1958. Jack and Sylvia married on January 2nd, 1959, in Schenectady, NY. Their journey takes them first to Columbus, GA. where Fort Benning Army post was located, and Stephanie was born in the Army Hospital on July 24, 1960. Shortly thereafter, Jack left Fort Benning, and moved to Monterey, Ca, where he was stationed at Fort Ord, the former Army base. Sylvia flew to Monterey, with Stephanie in tow, to meet Jack. They lived in Monterey, at Fort Ord, for approximately two years, after which, Sylvia and Jack went back to Schenectady, NY and lived with Sylvia’s parents, Rolf & Ingrid Mellerud for a short period of time. They also lived on the Brown University campus for one summer, and lived in a lovely brownstone. From there, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, Sylvia and Jack were enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. During this time, Sylvia worked toward her PhD and worked in the School library. After leaving Madison, the family moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Jack interned for the City of Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville is just across the Ohio River from Jeffersonville. The family lived in Jeffersonville for approximately 4 years. Shortly there after, David was born on August 21, 1966, in Louisville, Kentucky. A fond memory for them was attending the Kentucky Derby. From Jeffersonville they drove cross- country to Eureka, CA. and arrived on July 24th, 1968. Jack had accepted a position for the City of Eureka, as a City Planner. Jack’s focus was the redevelopment of Old Town and low-income housing, to name only a few of his accolades. Jack and Sylvia believed that Sylvia would stay home to raise their 4 children and was very proud and devoted mother. Her children are eternally grateful for their choice, as Sylvia was brilliant, and could have had a very successful career in Child Psychology. Aaron was born in Eureka on August 4, 1969 and Sarah followed on October 2, 1971. In Eureka, the family became a Member of the Temple of Beth-El and Sylvia converted to Judaism. The temple was an important meeting place for faith, family, and friends, and potluck. All of the children attended Saturday school (some more often than others). The Eureka community cherished and embraced Sylvia. Her beauty and wisdom trumped and set her apart in the community, although she was very humble. Sylvia's mother-in-law, Sarah Ingrid Segal, moved to Eureka, where she resided in Henderson Center for several years. Sylvia's mother and father would visit often. Sylvia also made frequent trips to Los Angeles to visit her dear sister, Anne, brother-in-law, Dr. Henry K. Hasserjian, and her nieces and nephews Kirk, Jerry, Ingrid, Eric and Diana, along with their extended family.

Sylvia was a very active member of the Eureka community. She spearheaded the recycling center, was president of the PTA, participated in local government, enjoyed belly dancing, stained glass making, she read voraciously, and loved cooking Norwegian food, and other fine-delicacies (sea food), and often hiked Fern Canyon. She also enjoyed taking the children to Trinidad State Beach to run around to collect shells and driftwood. Sylvia always encouraged her children to try new things, and she supported and drove them everywhere. Sylvia and Jack had many true friendships as well. Sylvia always stayed in touch with her college friends and sorority sisters, they shared many fun Thanksgivings with close friends and family. Sylvia loved animals, especially her Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Bentley. In 1984, Jack, Sylvia, Aaron and Sarah moved to Belmont Shore, in Long Beach, CA, where Jack accepted a new position in Community Planning and Development. While in Long Beach Jack and Sylvia, embraced the community. Sylvia took frequent long walks, enjoyed the view of the Queen Mary and ocean from their beachfront home, served on countless juries, attended musical and theater, and visited her sister and family in Brentwood. She enjoyed Christmas Eve with our family at the Hasserjian's house and Thanksgiving's at her daughter Sarah's home. Sylvia enjoyed her many trips to Northern California to visit her daughter, Stephanie, son-in-law Bob, grandsons, R.J. and Scott. Sylvia also enjoyed many summers at Lake Tahoe with her mother, Ingrid, sister Anne, brother-in-law Henry, nieces, nephews, and all off her children. After a 56 year of marriage Jack suffered some health challenges and passed away on November 27th, 2015 and Sylvia moved to be closer to be to her daughter Sarah in Santa Monica, where she resided in a lovely memory care facility until her passing at the age of 83 on June 10th, 2019.

Thank you mom for always being there and giving our family the treasure of your patience and love. We know that you will always be with us and that we will be together again one day. Enjoy dancing in the clouds with dad.

Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 18that the Riverside National Cemetery.

Donations can be made, in our parent’s name, to charitable organizations of their choice: Alzheimer's and Dementia, City of Hope, Providence Saint Johns, Penn State University Alumni, Temple Beth-El in Eureka, CA.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401