Place of birth

University Place, Washington

Notable achievements

Chair of the Hunger Walk in North Tacoma for many years, helped develop People for Positive Parenting, was a deacon at Fircrest Presbyterian Church, and created a video on water safety for children

Interests

Loved children, classical music, flower arrangement, and contemporary furnishings

Notable activity during Covid

Walked 1,862 miles with her walker in Tacoma parks, stopping to talk to people

Early influences

Lived in Greece for two years as a young girl when her father worked to reconstruct the Greek public health system after WWII, mother developed a public school program for children with disabilities

Nursing career

Worked as a nurse in Charleston, SC and as a public health nurse in Harlem, NY

Contributions to education

Worked for Bates Technical College developing early intervention strategies for preschool children and supporting the development of co-op preschools

Volunteer work

Served as a volunteer in Malawi through the Presbyterian Church, working with Malawians to establish new preschools, providing resources for schools, training teachers, and connecting Girl Guides in Malawi with Girl Scout troops in Washington

Survivors

Two children, Laura Stivers and Mark Stivers, and three stepdaughters, Julie Kub, Gina Gentili, and Joanna Gentili, as well as twelve grandchildren and many lifelong friends

Most recently lived in

Sylvia's favorite hobbies

Sylvia's favorite foods

Favorite place in the world