Sylvia Maureen Bush

Sylvia Maureen Bush, 79, passed away under the faithful watch of caregivers at the home where she lived comfortably for the last years of her life. Sylvia was born to Frances Bush and Ruth Giddings Bush on July 4, 1945, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at F.E. Warren Air Force base. She took great joy in being privileged to share her birthday with that of her country. Sylvia had two brothers, John (1943-2021) and a younger brother, Paul. Her childhood years were spent in Cheyenne. Her early home life was unstable, and her parents eventually divorced. Some of Sylvia’s fondest memories were the times she spent with her paternal aunt and uncle in Cheyenne. She loved going huckleberry picking with her uncle, who would make syrup from the berries, and continued to send syrup to Sylvia for years. She also found much-needed safety, love, and fun visiting her cousin Donna’s parents’ home. Their seven children entertained her, and even though the two-bedroom house was crowded, she loved finding a quiet corner and reading comic books for hours. After Sylvia graduated from East High School in Cheyenne, she enrolled at the University of Wyoming.

Her father remarried, and Sylvia moved to Denver with him and her stepmother, where she entered a Cosmetology School and became a hairdresser. Later, she moved to Boise, Idaho, to be near her grandparents (Emmett and Goldie Giddings) and another maternal Aunt (Alice Sower and family), where she put her cosmetology license to work. She loved living close to her grandparents and learned many homemaking skills from her grandmother. She cherished this time and spoke of them fondly throughout her life.

Sylvia’s life took a major turn when one of her hair salon customers, Evelyn St. Claire, a pediatrician, recognized Sylvia’s capability and encouraged her to attend nursing school. After nursing school, she spent time working for Evelyn, and the St. Claire family became one of many families that Sylvia would cherish. They traveled together, laughed and celebrated together, and she never completely lost touch with them.

In the late 1970’s, Sylvia moved to Seattle. It was here that she bought her first home in Ballard and created a beautiful English-style garden. Gardening became one of the true joys of her life, along with a progression of small, deeply-loved dogs, Rags, Molly, Bailey, Chancey and Barley. Soon after moving to Ballard, Sylvia virtually adopted the Nudelman family who lived next door and shared many of her common interests, such as gardening, dogs, and art. She lavished time and attention on the young Nudelman children, who grew up knowing her as Aunt Syl.

During this time, Sylvia worked as a nurse for Providence Hospice, and her coworker Janette, who was a social worker, recalled how meticulously she performed her duties, taking care of the whole person, both physically and emotionally.

In the early 1990’s Sylvia decided to host two young, talented basketball players who came from Russia to play for Ballard High School. She threw herself into making their lives comfortable and fun, learning how to cook their favorite Russian foods, attending their games, and generally “mothering” them with both love and discipline. She began supporting them so that they could finish their education all the way through community college. Both now live in Russia and have families there.

Sylvia again pulled up roots, moving to Shoreline, Wash. Once again, she created a lovely garden, took to walking her dogs throughout the neighborhood, and gathering more friends, including Lynn Huston and Brian Anderson, landscapers whose nearby garden attracted her instantly. She remained close to the “Anderhusts”, who became very important friends, managers, and caregivers throughout her life. After her health began failing, she moved to a condominium in Edmonds, WA, which became a safe place, with a requisite small garden to tend. She actively loved and explored the quaint town of Edmonds, including the corner downtown restaurant, “Rusty Pelican,” where many reunions with dear friends took place.

After several devastating illnesses, it became obvious that she needed Assisted Living, and she moved into a facility in Edmonds, where she spent her last years, being cared for by a very kind and professional staff. Although this was a very difficult decision, she remained upbeat, welcomed visitors with great excitement, and rarely, if ever, had anything bad to say about anything.

Sylvia will be remembered for her unique life-giving impulse. Those of you who knew her were the “life-givers” she chose, and in return, you received her love, regard, and loyalty. This had become the pattern of her life: she cherished her extended family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, being included in their celebrations, travel, and holidays. Although she never married or had children, she built her own extensive family and was Aunt “Syl” to so many people. One of her close friends summed up her character so well: “She was feisty, not afraid to speak her mind, kind, demanding, funny, and giving.” We all will remember her with much love and gratitude.