Sylvia Ann LaRiviere died on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at home in Winthrop, following a brief illness. She was born on Oct. 27, 1925, in Tacoma, to Dewey and Isabel Poindexter, later spending most of her married life in Bellingham.
John R. LaRiviere, her husband of 72 years, preceded her in death. She later lived with her daughter, Nancy, in Vero Beach, Florida, and recently relocated to the Methow Valley.
At age 90, Sylvia embarked on a 3-1/2 year road trip with her daughter. In a small RV, they traveled over 30,000 miles, visiting each of the 48 contiguous states and most of the Canadian provinces. Between road trips, Sylvia visited England, France, Italy, Spain and the Rock of Gibraltar. Every place she went, Sylvia connected with old friends, family members and new acquaintances. She had a gift for getting to know people and she inspired everyone who met her. Sylvia’s last adventure was helping her daughter build a dream home in Winthrop, where she would closer to family.
Present survivors are sons Randall (Margaret) of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Robert (Teresa) of Bellingham; and daughters Nancy (James, deceased) of Winthrop and Lisa (of Sedro-Woolley). She is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life on Oct. 4, 2019, at Squalicum Boathouse in Zuanich Point Park, 26 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, from 5–7 p.m., following her internment at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale.
In lieu of cards or flowers, Sylvia asked that everyone please vote in next year’s election and that you remember her with a smile.
