Syeeda Wilkins

Born in Akron Ohio, Syeeda was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Habeeb Daood. She was the oldest of 11 children Niemeer (Chris),Humdha (Horace (d), Fatima(Wes),Khali (d), Bennie (d), Clarence(d), Ali (d), Omar(d), Jameela(d)and Saleema(d).

At an early age, Syeeda had a love for music. Her first piano lesson was at age seven. She attended Akron‘s Central High School. In her freshman year she debuted 'The Last Rose of Summer' which ended with a sustained beautiful high "C” resulting in a spontaneous ovation from her classmates. There her love for singing blossomed. At the age of thirteen, with a large book under her arm entitled “Favorite Opera Arias” she began voice lessons. Many performances and ovations followed, flanked by superior ratings in state contests. She received awards from The Ohio State University and Mount Union College. She attended Kent State College and received a scholarship to continue her education.

In the 1950’s with just enough money, a single trunk of belongings, FAITH, courage and determination, Syeeda transferred from Kent State to continue her voice work under the direction of Madame Marie Sundelius at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass. Just pause, imagine what it was like at that time. The journey was not easy.

She continued to perform concerts and various performances however summers were spent working hard at summer camps and shops to live and continue her education. By 1957 she was quite the singer in Boston. She sang at the “Old South Church”, gave concerts alone, and, with other artists, most notably sung the soprano in "The Messiah" many times. She later auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera even though few if any sopranos of color existed at the time.

Syeeda married Claude R. Wilkins and moved to Suffield CT. There they had their daughter Claudette. Listening to the opera remained a weekly activity with follow up calls to her classmate to review the performance of the lead soprano. She maintained a sisterhood of close friends and nieces that has withstood generations. She loved to travel with her brothers and sisters and explore the US and abroad.

Syeeda had an insatiable desire to learn and network within her community. She had a long-standing career at NorthEast Utilities. She was very active with the League of Women Voters as Vice President and was one of the first female Trustees of Suffield Savings Bank. She loved to bake, garden and read at least 40 to 60 books a year. You are considered lucky if you received some of her cakes, pies, bread or cookies carefully wrapped in wax paper with your name on it.

She was the loving grandmother “Mom Mom” to Trinity and Faith and the Grand “Aunt Sy" to hundreds of nieces and nephews.

Syeeda herself was loved by everyone, always willing to listen, help, and offer a cheerful smile that would warm your heart. She certainly had a voice for keeping things in order, especially in her house. With never a word of complaint about life or hard times, she was peaceful and content. We will miss her. But her songs, love and wisdom will always be our everlasting memories of her life. RIH