Sylvia W. Westerdahl

AIKEN, SC - Sylvia Williamson Westerdahl, 76, died Sunday, June 9, 2013 at her residence in Aiken, SC. Mrs. Westerdahl, a resident of Aiken, SC since 1963, was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. She was born in Middlesboro, KY and was the daughter of Sherwood and Hilda Williamson, both deceased. Mrs. Westerdahl graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1960 and began her career with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Her Aiken law career, which spanned 40 years, included private practice, service with the Aiken Public Defender Office at its inception in 1970 and election in 1976 as the first female solicitor in South Carolina serving as Second Circuit Solicitor for Aiken, Bamberg and Barnwell counties. Mrs. Westerdahl was predeceased by her husband of 27 years, Allen F. Westerdahl, a patent attorney for the U.S. Department of Energy. She is survived by a brother, David Williamson of Knoxville, TN; a daughter Melissa Blanchard (Joe) of Columbia, SC; three grandchildren Rozier, Boyd and Katherine Blanchard all of Columbia. Mrs. Westerdahl served the community as past president of Helping Hands, Inc., was active in the Alston Wilkes Society, the Aiken Community Playhouse, the Community Action Commission, Girl Scouts, Planned Parenthood and the ASPCA. She was very involved in her church life and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Mrs. Westerdahl’s other interests include gardening, her Edisto Island home, travel and equestrian activities. Although India was her favorite place to visit, her love of travel took her to five continents. As members of Whisky Road Foxhounds and Belle Meade Hunt, Sylvia and Allen hosted many memorable hunt functions at their Banks Mill home and downtown law office. Following a private interment, the family will receive visitors at the family home, 4748 Banks Mill Road, Aiken, SC 29803, Friday, June 14, 2013 from 5:00-7:00pm. Please visit the online guestbook at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE - RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD. , AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvia W. Westerdahl, please visit our flower store.