Sydney McKean Rehkamp, 93, of Woodbury, CT and Cape Coral, FL, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2013 in Cape Coral. She was born October 20, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY; the beloved daughter of Frederick and Sydney Blades, now deceased. Sydney attended Epiphany Episcopal Church of Cape Coral, FL and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodbury, CT. She was the definition of class, elegance, warmth and compassion. She could fill a room with her smile. She always had a way of making you feel like the most important person when she spoke to you. She really cared what you had to say and was quick to give praise and laugh with you. She could remember facts and details about everyone's life and would make sure to follow through to see how things were. She valued everyone, and really cared. She graduated from Adelphi University in Garden City New York. She was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. She earned her master's degree in Education from Western Connecticut University in Danbury Connecticut. Sydney retired from Baldwin Elementary School as a second grade teacher. This was her calling. She treated her students as though they were her own children. She was fair yet firm. Sydney had a passion for writing and recently a writing club was started at Gulf Coast Village, a retirement community where she lived in Cape Coral, FL. She was very proud and excited about this because she suggested this to the activities director. Sydney overcame tragedies and kept going with grace and dignity time after time. Everyone was in awe of her. She made it look so easy. Sydney was the most positive person. She never complained and was truly resilient. Life kept moving and so did she. She explained that her faith in God has led her through good and bad times in life. She was proud to say her faith in God has carried her through
She is survived by her loving son, Brian McKean and his wife Roseann of Middlebury, CT; three grandchildren, Jennifer McKean of Middlebury, CT, James and Christopher McKean of Gilroy, CA; and five step children, Ronald Rehkamp (Susan), Joseph Rehkamp, Thomas Rehkamp (Marsha), George Rehkamp (Peggy) and Janice Ann Rehkamp. Sydney was preceded in death by her first husband, James Donald McKean in 1979; second husband, Dr. Charles J. Rehkamp in 2013; a son, Douglas L. McKean in 2006; and a stepson, Timothy Rehkamp in 2006.

Memorials: Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Cemetery: New North Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Woodbury

Services: Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 5 at 11: 00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 294 Main St. South, Woodbury. Burial will be in New North Cemetery, Woodbury.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held Wednesday, September 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St.