Hurstville’s first female alderman Sylvia Cable died on May 28, aged 99.
Mrs Cable was married to fellow alderman Horace Cable who served on Hurstville Council from 1956 to 1971 including as mayor in 1966.
During this period of her husband’s service, Mrs Cable became the first female Alderman and Horace and Sylvia became the first husband and wife team to serve on Hurstville City Council.
She was born April 1, 1917 in Hargrave Street Paddington. Her mother, Sarah Pearsall had a shop in Queens Street, Woollahra.
Mrs Cable was only 13 when her mother died and she went to live with her older sister, Myrtle in Newtown.
She married Horace Cable from Belmore in 1939 when she was aged 21.
They had two children, Judith and Clinton and moved to Beverly Hills.
During World War II, Horace served in Bougainville.
After the war, Mrs Cable managed a local haberdashery shop and worked at David Jones men’s store in Sydney become the first female manager.
Nicknamed Honey by her grandchildren, she was described by granddaughter Lucinda Shearman as an amazing grandmother who who would do anything for her family.
“Well into her 90s, she would travel any distance on foot or by public transport to see them,’’ Lucinda said.
“She would travel from Beverly Hills every day to visit her son Clinton in Cammeray when he was not well.
“Evan at the age of 93, she travelled to Stockholm in Sweden to see her grandson, Andreas marry.
“If Sylvia was devoted to a cause she fought hard for what she believed in, be it for the Liberal Party, for the Australian Constitutional Monarchy, for the Hurstville community, and even to obtain her position at David Jones.’’
She said her grandmother was known for her love of weak cappuccinos and elegant hairstyles.
“Sylvia remained dignified and elegant, even after losing her beloved Horace in 1995, Judith in 2002 and Clinton in 2008.
“She was determined to remain living at home in Beverly Hills for as long as possible and she achieved that goal - only moving to an aged care facility right at the very end.’’
Georges River Council administrator John Rayner described Mrs Cable as a devoted member of the Hurstville community.
At the August 1 council meeting he formally expressed thanks and appreciation to Sylvia Pearl Cable for her contribution to the Hurstville community.
Mrs Cable’s funeral service was held at Waverley Cemetery on June 2.
Following the service, mourners joined the family for refreshments at the Lord Dudley Hotel, in Jersey Road Woollahra, next door to where Mrs Cable was born 99 years before.
