Sylvia Hess

Sylvia Hess of Margate, FL has passed at the age of 66. She was at her beautiful home at the time of her death, which overlooked an intersection of two canals filled with lots of wildlife. She is survived by her son Joseph and wife Sarah, her son Luke and wife Caitlin, along with their children Ethan, Theodore and Olivia, and by her sister Michelle and her son Joshua with his son Alex.

Born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany in 1959, Sylvia lived in Germany until 1970 when her parents Lisa and Max moved to the United States. As she grew up in Maryland, Sylvia gained a taste for excitement, adventure and crabs. As a young girl, she was fearless, often climbing trees or balancing on tall bridges, or simply just running anywhere and everywhere she could go. She was known to be one of the fastest kids in her grade, and her love for sports was always present in her life. She also loved a good crab fest; whacking and breaking open steamed crabs, dousing the meat in butter and J.O. seasoning, and washing it down with a cold beer.

In 2006, Sylvia moved to Key West, FL and discovered a new passion for snorkeling. Working as Radiologic Technologist by night, she was an avid water girl by day. If she wasn't snorkeling, she would be kayaking around the shallow waters of the gulf, or taking in a sunset cruise on a catamaran. She fully embraced the Key West lifestyle, which included feeding iguanas that would walk on her deck. She always had a love for all animals in her life, but most notably was her son Joseph's dog Sampson.

After moving back to Maryland for a brief time, Sylvia eventually settled into Margate, FL where she purchased her dream home. With a picturesque backyard and a cozy home decorated full of beautiful and authentic German culture, Sylvia was suited for the Florida lifestyle, yet never lost her taste for her German roots.

A private memorial will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Halifax Humane Society
2364 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32124