Frances Camilla, the oldest of seven children of James Richard and Ann Isabel Payne Bowlds, was born at Knottsville, Ky., on July 7, 1911. Her faith journey began with baptism at St. William Church on August 4, 1911.
Camilla’s formal education began in September 1917 at St. William School, staffed by the MSJ Ursulines. When Camilla was in grade eight, the family moved to Owensboro, where she enrolled in St. Joseph High School.
In September 1931, Camilla, along with seven other young ladies, entered the MSJ novitiate to prepare for her life work. On March 19, 1932, she was invested in the Ursuline habit and received the name Sister Sylvia Mary.
Shortly after professing temporary vows, in September 1934, Sister Sylvia Mary was assigned as a high school teacher to Jeffersontown, Ky. Other assignments in schools staffed by the Ursulines in the next 40 years were located in Wynot and Plattsmouth, Neb., Fredericktown, Mount Saint Joseph, Owensboro, Lebanon, and Paducah, Ky., and in Affton, Mo., in grades 1‑4. In the seven years she taught at the Mount, she was art instructor, which she loved.
In 1975, she returned to the Motherhouse where she continued her art work and taught individual students for several years. Sister also kept a display in the dining room ‑‑ centered around the season or feast. For several years she made sure that some centerpiece was on the table where a Sister celebrating a feast day or birthday ate. In later years Sister Sylvia Mary kept a display up‑to‑date in the “small dining room.”
In the fall of 1993, Sister was taken to the infirmary when she had problems with her legs. She was asked to stay there because of medicine and treatments. Sister died August 5, 1998.
The wake service was held Thursday evening, the 6th with the funeral Mass Friday morning, the 7th at 10:30 a.m., with Father Anthony Shonis, celebrant. Burial was in the convent cemetery.