Sylvia Rivers' Obituary
Sylvia W. Rivers passed away peacefully on December 26, 2022 in Fort Myers, FL. Sylvia was born on August 15, 1936 in Charlotte County Florida to HL (Sug) and Lela Willis. She is survived by a large and loving family including four children - Gayle Baisch (Steve), Laura Morse (John), Gregory Griffin (Dawn) and Gary Griffin; eight grandchildren – Adam Davis (Lacy), Andrew Davis (Corey), Bradley Morse (Jordan), Rachel Morse, Christopher Griffin (Kelsey), Amanda Malloy (Evan), Jordan Griffin and Megan Sullivan (Tim); and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Miller Griffin (in 1971) and husband William Rivers (in 2019).
Sylvia was born and raised in the small village of Charlotte Harbor, Florida and graduated from Charlotte High School in 1954. She attended Florida State University receiving a BA in Education in 1958 and later in life received her Masters in Education from the University of South Florida. After graduating, she interned in Fort Myers before teaching for one year in Pensacola, FL. She returned to Fort Myers in 1959 where she would marry, start her family and go on to teach in various Lee County Public Schools for over 50 years. She was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church.
Sylvia took great pride in her entire family, which included her pioneering family from Charlotte County dating to 19th Century; her many aunts, uncles and cousins in South Georgia; and of course her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was, first and foremost, a teacher. She loved her family and students, and she showed that love by constantly teaching them to be successful and independent. One of her grandchildren remarked that she could be stern when necessary, but her sternness was always softened by her obvious desire to help those around her to be better people. In her semi-retirement she was in-demand as a substitute teacher throughout Lee County Schools. She also was an avid reader and gardener who was admired widely for her ability to keep the most beautiful Orchids in the Wildwood Lakes neighborhoods nearly constantly on display in her front yard.
A Service to celebrate her life will be held on January 6, 2023 at 4 PM at New Hope Presbyterian Church at 10051 Plantation Road in Fort Myers. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
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