Tribute to Dr. Sylvia Pengilly

[Michael Rhoades]

(Apologies for x-postings)

Dear CEC members,

 

It is with regret that I must inform you of the passing of a beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Sylvia Pengilly. Over the past several years, Sylvia experienced numerous strokes, each of which diminished her mentally and physically. Because they left her unable to compose, and to function in general, she was anxious for the end. On December the 11th, at 9:10 am she peacefully received her desire.

 

I met Sylvia at the SEAMUS 2003 conference held at Arizona State University in Tempe. I was sitting outside the conference hotel reading and she approached me asking about what I was reading… it was a book by Dr. Otto Laske. (Little did we know that a mutual friendship between the three of us would soon ensue.) We began chatting about it and in those few moments we, miraculously, became the best of friends. It was an unlikely friendship. We came from such diverse backgrounds. But it was one of those fortuitous deep connections that are rare and cherished gifts. This shared friendship was an honor.

 

There is more information in the form of a tribute to Sylvia and her life here: https://perceptionfactory.com/pengilly/

 

If you have anecdotes or comments about Sylvia that you would like to share, feel free to reply to this email or to email me privately. I would love to post your responses on the tribute web page for all her friends and family to enjoy.

 

Be well,

 

Michael

Michael Rhoades, Ph.D.

Lead HCI Artist/Researcher
Institute for Digital Intermedia Art
Ball State University
https://idialab.org/

Personal Web Site:

https://www.perceptionfactory.com/

[elsa justel]

I knew Sylvia at Nycemf on 2013 and It was a nice meeting. We know each other by our music and se feel as a curious friendhip.

I’am very sorry for the News but I Will remember her with afección

Elsa justel

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[Helmuth, Mara (Margaret) (helmutmm)]

Sylvia was an amazing, creative composer/visual artist and a wonderful friend who I enjoyed seeing at conferences and festivals.  She received her DMA from CCM a while back, where I am teaching, although I didn’t meet her until perhaps a couple of decades ago. I visited her beautiful place in Monterey some years ago, and she showed me some of her visual work I hadn’t seen yet.  We will miss her so much! 

Mara Helmuth

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Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:33 AM
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Subject: Re: [cec-c] Tribute to Dr. Sylvia Pengilly

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[Judy Klein]

Thank you for telling us, Michael.

SEAMUS has lost a beloved member.  We all have lost one of the sweetest beings in the world.

RIP Sylvia.  Thank you for your works, your support, and most of all, for being you.  You will be missed.

Michael, I'm sending special condolences to you. I know how close you were with Sylvia.

Judy Klein

[Michael Rhoades]

Thank you Judy... 

Be well,

Michael

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