Sylvia Mast Parker, 95, passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022.  She was born in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Sylvia chose the selfless profession of nursing, graduating from Riverside School of Nursing in Newport News, August 1954 as an RN. She received her GED from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in September 1954.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Parker and her daughter, Emma Marie Parker.  She is survived by children Donald Parker, Karen Burton, Shirley Agee, 9 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and brother, Eli Lloyd Mast.

She was a very determined woman and raised 3 children while working full time and tending to their father’s care at home before his passing in 2000.  Sylvia was conscious about her own health and enjoyed swimming, fitness classes and walking.  She always enjoyed nature and was awed at God’s creation.

The value she had for her independence showed throughout her life, starting at an early age into her 90’s, never wanting help or to be a burden.  She was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church.

Sylvia took up quilting and ceramics later in life, giving her great pleasure and gifting her arts to family and friends.  She enjoyed reading and even after her eyesight failed, she continued to enjoy books on tape.  Sylvia was a wealth of information and shared entertaining stories about life with siblings and her struggles and hard work of early farm life.   Sylvia’s mental sharpness, quick wittedness, and oh…. her smirk, will be dearly missed.

Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, Sylvia’s request was to please make a donation to a Women’s shelter of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.