Sylda Grasman

Sylda (Urquijo) Grasman, 95, of East Hanover, passed peacefully in her home on January 9, 2020. Sylda was born and raised in Tocaima, Colombia, and later spent her young adult life in Bogota, Colombia. She was the oldest of thirteen children in Colombia where she grew up caring for her younger siblings before she moved to Bogota to start her career.

She was a living testimony to the American dream. In 1954, Sylda immigrated to the United States by herself for a better life and she created a spectacular life with her husband Peter Johannes Grasman full of love, humor, devotion, and generosity. 
Sylda enjoyed a career as a secretary at the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in New York City. She was the devoted mother to Gonzalo Grasman, Irene Monteleone, and Vanessa Bassock.  Loving "Oma" to Alexandra, Isabella, Gionni, Saskia, Joost, and Sjors, and great grandmother to Lars, Rens, Elisa and Mats. She enjoyed family gatherings, cooking ethnic cuisine and living overseas with her husband Peter.  In her retirement, she enjoyed reading, walking, hiking, skiing and swimming as well as being with her family as much as possible.  Sylda's devotion and generosity reached many nieces and nephews of her extended family. She was a family leader who left a legacy of unconditional love which lives on in her siblings, in her children and in their future generations.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover on Monday, January 13th at 11am. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Visiting Nurse Association of New Jersey Hospice
175 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Web: vnannj.org

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