Sylvia Grace Birks

1934 - 2016

Sylvia Grace Birks

Sylvia Grace (Bodine) Birks was born to Paul and Dagmar Bodine in Denver, CO on May 10, 1934 and passed away peacefully after a long illness on November 22, 2016 at her AFH in Shoreline, WA. Sylvia grew up in the Salvation Army and lived in many cities in the western U.S., graduating from high school in Denver. After briefly attending Pasadena College and clerking at Time/Life, she graduated from Seattle Pacific College in 1959 with a degree in Physical Education. Sylvia taught Girls PE at Washington Jr. High in Seattle, during which time she met her husband Bill, whom she married in 1961. She quit teaching to raise her three children when they were young, then became a substitute teacher for the Edmonds School District -

eventually serving as President of the Edmonds Substitute Teacher Association and often nominated a "Super Sub." Sylvia was an accomplished swimmer, working as a lifeguard in her youth and teaching swimming at Mountlake Terrace Pool later in life. She also loved biking with friends and completed the STP twice. Sylvia was known and will be remembered affectionately for her enthusiastic love of life, travel, and adventure; for her love of friends, family, all animals (but especially meerkats) and nature; and for her infectious laugh, personal warmth, wonderful/silly sense of humor, and singing.

Fondly remembered by her friends and family including Bill, daughters Sharon (Robert) and Kathy, son David, grandchildren David, Erin and Andrew, brothers Paul (Beverly) and Robert. The family is immeasurably grateful for the loving care of JCB Adult Family Home and Group Health Hospice. Remembrances may be sent to Group Health Hospice, PO Box 34015, Seattle, WA 98124, or to any charity benefiting animals or wildlife.

Memorial service Thursday December 8th, 2:00 pm, Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 Third Ave. NW, Shoreline, WA 98177.