Sylvia Kathleen Hildred, 83, of Gaithersburg, Md., Sarasota, Fla., and Trumbull, died peacefully July 30 at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg. She was born on August 23, 1930, in Newport, South Wales, in the UK.

She was the loving wife of Alan Hildred, Sr, and devoted mother of Alan Hildred, Jr, of Newtown and Kim Hildred of Alexandria, Va.

Mrs Hildred came to the US as a young bride, in 1953, and settled in Bridgeport. She was a dedicated elementary school teacher for 23 years in the Wilton school system. Her greatest joy in life was found teaching children how to read, and the wonderful world that books would open for them.

A memorial service took place August 2.

Memorial donations may be made to St Bartholomew's Church, 21611 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville MD 20882 or to JSSA Hospice, 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville MD 20852.