Sylvia DuBois leaves behind a legacy of compassion and generosity
With heavy hearts, Standard Process Inc. shares the passing of Sylvia Rose DuBois, company vice president and part owner of the whole food supplement manufacturer based in Palmyra.
DuBois died Dec. 30, 2013 at the age of 84. Born on May 8, 1929, she grew up in Milwaukee and attended Holy Angels Academy (now known as Divine Savior Holy Angels High School).
In June 1950, DuBois began working for a Standard Process affiliate, Lee Engineering Company, as secretary for the chief engineer, Frank DuBois, nephew of Standard Process and Lee Engineering founder, Royal Lee, D.D.S. She also worked at Standard Process on special projects for Lee. The DuBoises worked together for the next 10 years, until Frank DuBois resigned from Lee Engineering to start his own company in 1960.
After marrying Frank DuBois in 1962, Sylvia DuBois resigned from Lee Engineering to join her husband’s company as his assistant.
During their marriage, the DuBoises had three children, Frank Jr., Charles, and Mary. The DuBoises continued their involvement with Standard Process, with Frank DuBois eventually representing the family’s interest on the company’s board of directors in 1983.
In 1990, when Frank DuBois was appointed president of Standard Process, Sylvia DuBois joined the company as his assistant.
DuBois and her late husband started many Standard Process traditions, including annual picnics, holiday parties, handing out turkeys and hams on holidays, putting up Christmas lights and decorations, and providing Christmas bonuses and extra paid vacation time during the Christmas holiday.
Following her husband’s death in 1995, DuBois continued to be involved in the ownership and management of Standard Process as the company’s vice president. In this role, she played an instrumental part in the development of the Dr. Royal Lee Memorial Library at the company’s corporate headquarters and Vita Kids Learning Center, the company’s on-site child care facility, both located in Palmyra.
In October 2013, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School honored DuBois with its 2013 Jubilarian of the Year award. The award recognized DuBois’ lifetime devotion to helping others while living out her Catholic beliefs.
She attended daily mass at the Carmelite Monastery in Pewaukee and gave consistently to a variety of charitable causes. She volunteered at Repairers of the Breach, a daytime shelter for the adult homeless in Milwaukee, and participated in the meal program for the hungry through St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church in Pewaukee.
Left to carry on DuBois’ legacy are her three children, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
