Sylvia Stanley

Sylvia K. Stanley, 83, of Hope Valley passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Sylvia was born on July 19, 1942, to Edward S. LeCour and Pearl (LeCour) Cairnes. Her step-father, Malcolm Cairnes, was her choice to walk her down the aisle when she married Chief Frederick A. Stanley a week after graduating from South Kingstown High School in 1960.

Two children were born to the couple, Lori Ann and Loren. She leaves her two children, four grandchildren and a daughter-in-law, Cathy Stanley. The house they lived in for 52 years was built by her husband. Fred had been a cabinet maker, a meat cutter, and served in the Hope Valley Fire Department as Assistant Chief until a Fire District was founded and he was asked to remain as Chief, this time with pay and benefits. He was Chief for 51 years. He died on March 27, 2019, while on Hospice.

Sylvia served as a teacher's aide, secretary/bookkeeper for the Hopkinton Elementary Schools, then served many years as a medical office manager. She was elected to the Chariho School Committee twice, serving as Chairman for two years.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM at Carolina Free Baptist Church, 504 Carolina Back Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813. A funeral service will take place at the church following calling hours at 12:00 PM. Burial will be held private.

Just as Sylvia planned Chief Stanley's funeral, she planned her own.

The family kindly requests that flowers be omitted. Sylvia, instead, requested donations be made in her name to the Frederick R. Stanley Scholarship Fund founded by Chief Stanley to honor his father, a long-time firefighter. The scholarships are given to firefighters' children who attend college. Donation may be sent to F.R. Stanley Scholarship Fund - Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District, PO Box 25, Hope Valley RI 02832.