Sylvia J.
Hello my name is Sylvia... my sobriety date is May 10, 1983 and for that I am never sufficiently grateful....my husband wasn't real grateful because that was on his birthday...I think he likes it now though.
Obituary
"In loving memory of Sylvia J who was a most caring, compassionate, and devoted member of SA. She was one of the first women in SA and attended the first SA Conference in Simi Valley, CA (see the webpage banner above) when Roy K. had about a year sobriety and Sylvia had six months sobriety. She reflected on it; "We were in early sobriety and thought we were so important. We picked important titles which didn't amount to anything. We didn't realize how sick we still were except Roy. The next year, we were wiser and focused on the fellowship." Sylvia was one of the first women at the Oklahoma City SA meeting that was started by Jesse L. She faithfully attended meetings all through the years welcoming newcomers. She served SA in many roles, including as the Trustee Chair when the Cleveland Clarification was being considered. Her steadfast leadership helped the Trustees unify during this time of uncertainty. Sylvia is remembered by many sponsees whose lives will never be the same. Harvey A.'s comment at her passing "her legacy will last forever" couldn't be better stated.
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October 31, 2024
I heard lots about Sylvia before I met her - that she was one of the longest sober members in SA and had such a kind heart - I met Sylvia in St Louis, she and her husband Gene - I thought she was a wonderful person. Gene are her were such an endearing couple. She held an important place in the history of SA and I am so glad that I met her..... May you rest in peace Sylvia.....
October 28, 2024
I really enjoyed the talks I had with Sylvia because she helped me to focus on getting sober like so many great women in SA have. She was valued and appreciated with bounds of experience. God Bless you 💖. May I live to walk the same path as my Sponsor and do the same work.
October 25, 2024
Hi Sylvia,
We dont know each other but I know you were the first women in SA and I can only imagine the grit and courage it must have taken to remain sober in those times and among so many men. I share your struggle of being the first and a loner. When I started I had no women to hold my hand and meet me every time I needed in my country. The hustle of the first when you need to lend your hand while you are still trying to stay strong for yourself is a lot. But gladly your handwork had reached me too through my first women sponsor who supported me for two and a half years. So I pay tribute to your progressive victory and consistency and belief in the program, that I could come in and get the help that I needed. Hope your soul gets the Ultimate Serenity and peace that the recovery in SA promises. Good bye but not forever. We have karmic entanglement and it may be direct in next lifetime. Kudos to your soul for being free from the hustle of this body… fly away to home dear soul… to your beloved HP. 🙏
Shipra S (India)
We dont know each other but I know you were the first women in SA and I can only imagine the grit and courage it must have taken to remain sober in those times and among so many men. I share your struggle of being the first and a loner. When I started I had no women to hold my hand and meet me every time I needed in my country. The hustle of the first when you need to lend your hand while you are still trying to stay strong for yourself is a lot. But gladly your handwork had reached me too through my first women sponsor who supported me for two and a half years. So I pay tribute to your progressive victory and consistency and belief in the program, that I could come in and get the help that I needed. Hope your soul gets the Ultimate Serenity and peace that the recovery in SA promises. Good bye but not forever. We have karmic entanglement and it may be direct in next lifetime. Kudos to your soul for being free from the hustle of this body… fly away to home dear soul… to your beloved HP. 🙏
Shipra S (India)
October 25, 2024
Sylvia’s impact on my life has been profound. I never met her or spoke to her but her commitment to recovery and loving service literally saved me. I have been given a gift of unimaginable proportions thanks to Sylvia and the love and service of those she helped.
October 25, 2024
Thank you for existing Sylvia. Without you there would have been no us. A pioneer and humble servant.
Denise
Denise
October 24, 2024
I met Sylvia at my first international convention in July 1989 when I was fortunate to receive a 30-day chip from her. I remember feeling that her smile and kind words were as If I'd received a 30-year chip. Over the following years I attended another 50 such gatherings and Sylvia was a constant presence always with the same welcoming smile and encouraging words for us all. As a couple Sylvia and Gene were wonderful examples to my wife and me, giving us hope from the beginning that recovery is possible and that love and joy are real. Thank you, Sylvia. May you rest in peace.
Gary L
Iowa
Gary L
Iowa
October 24, 2024
Dear Sylvia, thank you so much for all you did for SA. You've been loved and respected by so many people around the world for decades. I'm grateful to have met you. May you rest in peace. God Bless.
October 23, 2024
I have never met or talked to Sylvia yet have experienced her spirit of helpfulness and generosity through the recovery of her sponsees, grand sponsees and great grand sponsees, especially Laura W. Sylvia was a sweetheart who helped a lot of people. God bless her soul.🙏🏼
October 23, 2024
I'll be forever grateful to Sylvia, who has helped pave the way for me. Although the closest I've come to speaking to her was leaving a voice mail on her machine, she has had a profound impact on my life. I'm thankful that for a time, she was my grand sponsor, and her Experience, Strength, and Hope were passed down to me. She will continue to live on in all of us.
October 23, 2024
Although I never met Sylvia, I saw her helping to handout medallions at my first International Convention in Missouri I think. I was struck by her joy and the fun that her and other oldtimers were having. I was in early recovery and a bit of a train wreck at that time, so it was incredibly encouraging. I think she had 30 years at that point... the most I had heard of for men or women... and it showed me there is a wonderful life ahead in SA. I'm grateful for Sylvia's service and life. My condolences to her family, she will be missed. God's blessing on all of you.
October 23, 2024
I talked to Sylvia by phone and met her at an online event (SIM). I also heard about her through Dave T. when he traveled to the overseas country where I was living at the time.
She was a definite vivacious and spunky Sister and her loving and welcoming ways and willingness to be of service really helped me put in perspective my seemingly insignificant challenge of being the only "woman" attending my mixed meeting. I was honored to recite her favourite prayer to those attending the NW SA & SAnon Fall Retreat. RIP Sylvia 💚🙏
She was a definite vivacious and spunky Sister and her loving and welcoming ways and willingness to be of service really helped me put in perspective my seemingly insignificant challenge of being the only "woman" attending my mixed meeting. I was honored to recite her favourite prayer to those attending the NW SA & SAnon Fall Retreat. RIP Sylvia 💚🙏
October 23, 2024
I so loved Sylvia's joyful as well as spunky demeanor! I felt such a sense of being welcomed and belonging to our Fellowship as she gave me a commemorative coin during the sobriety birthday celebration at my first convention (Philly, July 2005). She gave out those coins at every international covention (every 6 months) for many years! She was such a beacon of hope and encouragement, especially to women in the Fellowship like me. Rest in peace, dear sister.
October 22, 2024
Sylvia has been my friend since I met her in 1994. She was about 10 years ahead of me in age and in sobriety. She became my role model. I loved her example of joyful and compassionate living. She helped me understand the compassion of God toward me and others. As she grew old, Sylvia experienced painful losses, and she valued God's compassion even more. During and after her husband Gene's final illness, instead of ending our conversations with the Serenity Prayer, she chose to end with these words of compassion from God: "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace." I was blessed to pray that prayer with Sylvia two days before she passed. I had a feeling then that it was our last conversation. I miss her. I trust that our compassionate God continues to care for Sylvia today.
October 22, 2024
I will never be sufficiently grateful for Sylvia in my life.
She has been my sponsor for almost 15 years. One thing that stands out for me is her common sense approach to all my difficulties. Sometimes I initially minimized what she said, and as I thought about it, it became amazingly brilliant.
When I Felt defeated by my mental obsessions and told her I could never let go of my last stash, she told me just to look around and see that others who had gone before me had been relieved of their obsessions. That turned out to be very true and very helpful for me to see. When I was disturbed by a Sponsee leaving the program she taught me to never close the door on anyone but always leave them with good feelings and encouragement that the program is here for them when they are ready.
I visited her in 2022 to celebrate her SA birthday. She said it was really Oklahoma’s SA birthday also.
She was always willing to have a newcomer call her even in this past year as her health declined. She led by example showing me that it helps me to work with others.
I am grateful to Sylvia and will miss her dearly.
Susie B in Idaho
She has been my sponsor for almost 15 years. One thing that stands out for me is her common sense approach to all my difficulties. Sometimes I initially minimized what she said, and as I thought about it, it became amazingly brilliant.
When I Felt defeated by my mental obsessions and told her I could never let go of my last stash, she told me just to look around and see that others who had gone before me had been relieved of their obsessions. That turned out to be very true and very helpful for me to see. When I was disturbed by a Sponsee leaving the program she taught me to never close the door on anyone but always leave them with good feelings and encouragement that the program is here for them when they are ready.
I visited her in 2022 to celebrate her SA birthday. She said it was really Oklahoma’s SA birthday also.
She was always willing to have a newcomer call her even in this past year as her health declined. She led by example showing me that it helps me to work with others.
I am grateful to Sylvia and will miss her dearly.
Susie B in Idaho
October 22, 2024
I think the thing that stands out for me is that Sylvia was always there for me and for other women.
I've gone to almost every International Convention since 1996. Sylvia was always there.
She walked ahead of me, she showed me that sobriety and recovery really are possible.
But after the pandemic, Sylvia’s health kept her from attending.
I’ve aimed to take up one of Sylvia’s many batons. I want to be there for other women, like Sylvia was for me.
I've gone to almost every International Convention since 1996. Sylvia was always there.
She walked ahead of me, she showed me that sobriety and recovery really are possible.
But after the pandemic, Sylvia’s health kept her from attending.
I’ve aimed to take up one of Sylvia’s many batons. I want to be there for other women, like Sylvia was for me.
October 22, 2024
Dearest Sylvia,
I will never be sufficiently grateful for the day a gentleman handed me your husband's, Gene, number and told me to call and ask for a Sylvia J. "Ask her to sponsor you and ask for 5 other contacts with good recovery." You agreed to sponsor me and my life began that day. I never knew such female love, support, and understanding existed until we began working together. Every time I needed help, you walked me through the steps until I came to a place of surrender of God's will in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I will never be sufficiently grateful for the day a gentleman handed me your husband's, Gene, number and told me to call and ask for a Sylvia J. "Ask her to sponsor you and ask for 5 other contacts with good recovery." You agreed to sponsor me and my life began that day. I never knew such female love, support, and understanding existed until we began working together. Every time I needed help, you walked me through the steps until I came to a place of surrender of God's will in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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