Sylvia B. Hymes, of Rochester and Utica, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2009, in Rochester. Mrs. Hymes was born in Russia, a daughter of the late Samuel and Jennie Cohen Bedzofsky. She came with her family to America at age nine. She graduated from Utica Free Academy and Elmira College and also earned a Masters degree in German from the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Hymes was a respected teacher of Business, English, Social Studies and German at Utica Free Academy for thirty years until her retirement in 1972. Among her many interests and talents, she composed dozens of poems about her life and experiences. Her poems were greatly appreciated by hundreds of readers. On December 26, 1943, Sylvia married Harold H. Hymes in Utica. Judge and Mrs. Hymes were deeply devoted to each other and were lifelong residents of Utica until his passing on September 29, 2002. Sylvia was an active member of Temple Beth El, of Hadassah, and of the Jewish community in Utica. In retirement, she taught classes in Yiddish at the Jewish Community Center and also at the State University elder education programs. On relocating to the Summit of Brighton in 2006, she continued her many activities, including writing and studying poetry, teaching Yiddish, and playing bridge. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Judge Allan D. and Marilyn Rosen Hymes of Rochester, Dr. Kenneth B. and Pearl Hammer Hymes of Great Neck, and Drs. Jeffrey and Valentina Kon Hymes of Nashville, TN; her grandchildren, Seth and Jenna Hymes of Los Angeles and New York City, Marla Hymes of New York, and Sarah, Samantha and Jacob Hymes of Nashville, TN; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Frances Beede of Connecticut; and many nieces and nephews. Sylvia was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Robert Beede, and her sister, Mrs. Gertrude Peretz. Her funeral will be 1 PM, Tuesday, at Temple Beth El, 2710 Genesee Street, Utica, with Rabbi Jeffrey Segall officiating. Interment will be made in Temple Beth El Cemetery, Whitesboro. Shiva will be observed in Rochester. Contributions in Sylvias memory may be offered to Temple Beth El of Utica. 