Sibyl Mae Cummings Telfian

Sibyl Mae Cummings Telfian, aged 89, of Richmond, Virginia, and formerly a longtime native of New York State, passed away peacefully August 9, 2026.

A cradle Episcopalian, Sibyl’s deep faith was central to her life. She grew up attending St. George’s Episcopal Church in Hempstead, New York. She later brought her family to St. George’s in Schenectady, New York and eventually worshipped at Grace and Holy Trinity, where she faithfully taught Sunday school, worked in the soup kitchen, volunteered in "the shop," and supported numerous fundraising projects. She took immense joy in small acts of kindness, especially sending cards to at-home seniors, and every year would adopt a Giving Tree Silver Bells senior.

A graduate of Hempstead High School, Sibyl earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta. Dedicated to her profession, she later pursued her master’s degree in elementary education at SUNY New Paltz. Her impactful teaching career spanned decades across New York State, including roles at Coxsackie High School, Wallkill High School, and Lisha Kill Junior High School. Following the birth of her four sons, she spent 23 years teaching adult education at Shenendehowa Central School and 8 years directing the after-school enrichment program at Glencliff Elementary School. Later, she shared her love for creativity as a classroom coordinator for A.C. Moore for 10 years and presented a monthly craft segment on Albany’s NBC affiliate station during the News at Noon broadcast with Bonita Zahn.

Sibyl lived a vibrant life filled with travel, antiques, museums, afternoon teas, and crafting. Family was her greatest treasure; starting in 1976, she took her four sons on bicentennial trips to historic locations for five consecutive summers. Later, her adventures took her across both the United States and Europe alongside dear friends, family, and her son Mark.

Her spirit of service was unmatched. Sibyl lent her leadership to countless volunteer organizations, including the Tri-Club Woman’s Club, Rexford Woman’s Club, Golden City Woman’s Club, and the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was active in various PTAs, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership foundation, and Tri-Club projects benefiting Safe

Harbor, McGuire Veterans Hospital, the local food pantry, and children's charities.

She was preceded in death by her father, Colonel John Lawrence Cummings; her mother, Marjorie Lee Tenney Cummings; her sister, Mary Spalding Cummings Narkon; her favorite cousin, Mary Sue Tenney Noe; and her favorite aunt, Betty Cummings Pancoast.

Sibyl leaves behind a legacy of love through her four special sons: Charles Gregory (Barbara), William Bradley (Robin), John Richard (Chrystal), and Mark Lawrence. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Trevor Robert, Sarah Marie, Oregon Robert, Louden South, Anna Spalding, Lauren Spencer, and Richard Palmer. Her memory will also be treasured by her favorite niece, Phyllis Ann Narkon Oliver (Robert), and Phyllis' daughters, Casandra, Amanda, and Miranda, alongside many other extended relatives and friends.

Her life’s guiding principle was beautifully captured by her personalized license plate, "MKAD1F"—short for "Make a Difference." Whether it was her family, friends, church, or her community, she lived that motto every single day with a heart full of boundless care.

A service to honor Sibyl’s life and legacy will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23230. She will be laid to rest at Old Chapel Hill Cemetery in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Safe Harbor or SUNY Oneonta in her memory.