Sylvia Nancy Manzo was born on April 29, 1948 in Bremerton, Washington. As a baby she affectionately earned the nickname "Punkie" since she was reportedly round, like a "pumpkin" - a name that she was called her entire life by close friends and family. Sylvia spent her childhood in Bremerton, Washington, where her years were filled with twirling her baton (she was the youngest Majorette to march with the High School and Olympic College Bands) and spending time with her extended family. As a second-generation of Croatian and Italian descent, Sylvia was the only grandchild for seven years - a place of honor she enjoyed. After a slew of cousins and her sister, Maria, were born, she would often exclaim jokingly, "they really rained on my parade"! Nevertheless, those years were filled with exhuberant family get­ togethers and Sylvia soon adapted to her role as the "matriarch" of the cousins - a bond that remained important to her throughout her life.

As a young teenager, Sylvia moved with her family to Cheney, Washington when her dad took a job at Eastern Washington University. Although she was reticent to leave her friends and extended family (mistakenly referring to it as "Chile" instead of "Cheney"), with her natural beauty, talent, and vivacious personality, Sylvia soon found her way.

During these years, she amassed several beauty pageant titles and excelled as a gifted singer and actress - easily capturing the lead roles in all the high school musicals and later, in College and Community Theatre.

After graduating in Music Education from Eastern, Sylvia married Barry Buth in 1969 and had two sons, Brandon and Ryan. Sylvia always remarked that "having her sons was the best thing that she ever did" - and they were the light of her life. As the boys grew up, she was their biggest "cheerleader" and never missed a football game or a wrestling match - at times running down the sidelines or hiding under the bleachers when things got tense! Sylvia's home was the neighborhood "hangout", and was often filled with the boys' friends. To this day, they think of her as their second mom!

With a zeal for teaching and a passion for kids, Sylvia's professional career spanned 44 years. As an educator, she began in the elementary classroom, but soon found her "niche" teaching Middle School music in Spokane. A consummate perfectionist, Sylvia's music programs were always "first class" and her choirs outstanding. Years later, Sylvia embarked on a career shift, pursued a Masters in Counseling and moved to Vancouver, Washington, where she enjoyed 19 years at Skyridge Middle School in Camas, Washington, as a Guidance Counselor. Her love of music and theatre never left, and soon Sylvia found herself as the sole director, stage and costume designer, for the annual middle school musicals at Skyridge. Because of her tutelage, many of her students were inspired to pursue music well beyond their middle school years. Upon her retirement, she was considered a "gem who leaves very large shoes to fill" by her colleagues.

Speaking of shoes.....outside of music, Sylvia's passion was undoubtedly fashion and shopping. She would dress up to go to the grocery story, and her shoe collection rivaled that of Imelda Marcos! Sylvia loved to organize her own - and others closets and never hesitated to get rid of her slightly used clothing to make room for the newest trends. She regularly became personal friends with many of the owners and managers of the stores she frequented.

As a friend, Sylvia was a "BFF" to many- she lit up the room with her smile - and was always the life of a party!   She was fiercely loyal to her friends, and quick to show her thoughtfulness with an unexpected gift. To Sylvia, shopping for and wrapping the perfect gift was a special occasion -and she quite often became more excited about giving it than the person who was receiving it! And she ALWAYS responded in kind to every act of kindness with a hand-written thank you note.

Above all, Sylvia's greatest pleasure was being "nana" to five beautiful grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of their accomplishments and would happily travel coast to coast to spend time with her grandchildren at every opportunity. In spite of her illness, she recently realized two of her biggest dreams - moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to be closer to the "Florida Buths", and being present at her first grandchild's high school graduation in Spokane.

Sylvia will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, tenacious spirit, an unparalleled will to live, and a faith that was grounded in traditional values, respect and love. She is survived by her sons Brandon Buth (Nicole), Ryan Buth (Annie), five beautiful grandchildren (Riley, Hudson, Brooklyn, Maddox, and Grayson), her mother, Sylvia, sister Maria (Michael) and numerous cousins and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sylvia's name ta the Ray Hickey Hospice House, 2112 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661.

Services Will Be Held At:

St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

Portland, OR

Rosary at 2:45 PM

Musical Interlude at 3 PM

Funeral Mass at 3:30 PM

Final Resting Place Will Be At:

Holy Cross Cemetery

Spokane, WA