Sylvia Suverkrop

1924 - 2025

Sylvia Fanucchi Suverkrop, whose determined spirit carried her through many new chapters in her life, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. She was 100 years old.

Between her childhood in Bakersfield and final years in St. Helena, Sylvia's life took her to many places across the country and the world. She met each new chapter-from the multiple moves demanded of military families, to her career in social work, to a new relationship later in life-with the quiet courageousness, resilience and occasional dose of wry humor that those who knew her will always remember her for.

Known as "Toddie" to friends and family, Sylvia was a young junior college student in Bakersfield CA when she went to a USO dance and met Bard Suverkrop, an Air Force pilot in-training home on leave. The two quickly hit it off, married in 1944 and began their family after WWII with the birth of Kim, Dana and young Bard. When Bard continued his service following the Korean War, Sylvia earned her own stripes raising three boisterous children and navigating the family through multiple moves, new cultures and fresh challenges. At a time when few women were pursing higher degrees, Sylvia managed to continue her college education during these years, eventually earning her degree from the University of California, Davis.

These experiences helped shape her perspective on everything from the everyday needs of families to the larger stage of politics and policy. She carried these insights into her career in social services, which began in earnest in the 1960s after the family settled in the Sacramento area. Sylvia quickly advanced to the role of supervisor and served individuals and families for more than two decades until her retirement in the mid-1980s.

Early retirement was no less busy as there were grown children and grandkids in Europe to visit, a motorhome that often beckoned to them for camping trips, and friends close by to pass time with. Their welcoming home and property were a retreat for the entire family, and it hosted many a holiday and summer gathering over the years.

After Bard's death in 1991, Sylvia met fellow widower Edward "Ed" Mauricio with whom she found loving companionship. As partners for more than 24 years, Sylvia and Ed lived a lifetime of new adventures together through travel, shared interests and becoming a part of each other's families. Sylvia even adopted Ed's love of golf-watching it, that is-and she followed all the major tournaments and player news with genuine interest.

Sylvia spent her final years in St. Helena following Ed's death in 2017. She delighted in going to music performances, and loved being taken for strolls around town. Though a stroke silenced her speech in 2015, Sylvia managed to convey a multitude of emotions with her facial expressions-reminding us all that it's never too late to learn new talents.

In October 2024, friends and family from all over California and the Eastern U.S. gathered to celebrate Sylvia's 100th birthday-a testament to the enduring love and friendship she inspired throughout a long, full life.

Sylvia is survived by her brothers Charlie, Joe and Frank Fanucchi; children, Kim Farmer (Jeff), Dana Suverkrop, and Bard Suverkrop; grandchildren, Heather Morgan; Liz Farmer Bedard (Justin); Jennifer Moller (Desmond); and Katie Arostegui (Joshua); and great-grandchildren, Zoey and Nicholas Moller, William and Alexander Arostegui, and Joseph Bedard.

She was predeceased by her parents Joe Fanucchi and Anna Brady Fanucchi and stepmother Lillian Cuevas Fanucchi; husband Bard Suverkrop; partner Edward Mauricio; siblings Lucille Fanucchi and Jim Fanucchi; and daughters-in-law, Cynthia Suverkrop and Janice Suverkrop.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity in Sylvia's memory are appreciated.