Palma Jean Tabacco (nee Sylvestri) passed away peacefully following her battle with AML in the early hours of April 24. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Tony Tabacco, of 51 years and her adoring children, Anthony (Tabacco), Todd (Tabacco), and Taryn Jean (Branca).

Palma Jean was born in Yonkers, N.Y,, on December 28, 1945, to Anthony and Mollie (nee D’Anna) Sylvestri. After marrying Tony, they raised their children in North Salem, N.Y., for 47 years before retiring to their wonderful community in Sandy Hook, where they quickly built a beautiful circle of friends who became family.

In addition to her husband, Palma Jean is survived by her two sons, Anthony Tabacco (Claudine) and Todd Tabacco (Meredith); a daughter, Taryn Jean Branca (Frank); her pride and joy grandchildren are Luke Anthony Tabacco (16), Cole James Tabacco (13), Frank Anthony Branca (12), Zack Julian Tabacco (12), Charlize Addison and Talia Joy Tabacco (11), Matthew Jack Branca (10), Tatum Grace Tabacco (10), Anthony James Tabacco (6) and Amalia Mae Branca (5). Grandma Palma liked to include middle names when talking to or about her grandchildren — and as her grandchildren can all recite, Grandma Palma did not like waste. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life, and they will all carry on her legacy.

She is predeceased by her brother, Anthony “Junior” Sylvestri, and continued her loving relationships with her siblings, Dominick “Dee" Sylvestri, Ronald Sylvestri, and Tonia Taylor. She is remembered fondly by her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Palma Jean was the kind of grandmother that you read about in story books. There was not a game or event she missed for any of her ten grandchildren — even if that meant she and Tony were traveling all over the state in one day. She let them all know on a daily basis how special they were to her and how much she loved them. There is a void in our lives that will never be filled, but the memories she created will keep us going. No one spread more love in a lifetime than Palma Jean.

Anyone who knew Palma Jean understood immediately what a special person she was. Her heart was generous and kind, and she always had a smile on her face. She would greet you with a ‘How are you doll,” a “Hi sweetie,” or a “Hey babe,” and you immediately felt her warmth shine upon you. Her family and friends will always remember her saying, “Call me when you get home,” “It is what it is,” “Not for nothin,” “Helloooooo,” and, “Oh, how we laughed.”

Palma Jean loved watching the Yankees, The Young & The Restless, and especially watching “Ridge” (Thorsten Kaye) from The Bold and the Beautiful with her husband, Tony. You could always find her with her French Vanilla Dunkin’ Donuts coffee (cream only) and wearing a themed T-shirt which she always ironed. Palma Jean was always ready for a party; she and her husband, Tony, were lovingly labeled “best dancers” many years ago, a wine “spritza” always in her hand.

Services for Palma Jean will begin Thursday, April 29, from 5 to 8 pm at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Conn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, April 30, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, Conn. Interment will follow at St Rose Cemetery, 20 Cherry Street, Sandy Hook, Conn.