Sylvia J. Gergen

Sylvia Gergen, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away surrounded by family on February 15, 2025. She died as she had lived—with bravery and strength, and with her last words and thoughts full of gratitude and about taking care of others. She was 86 years old.

Born in 1938 on a dairy farm in Longmont, Colorado, Sylvia grew up surrounded by hard work, a large family, and the beauty of nature—but she knew very early on that she was destined for even more adventure in her life. After graduating from high school, she moved to Denver and attended business school. It was in Denver that she met the love of her life, Bob Gergen, who had also recently left his native Wisconsin to explore the world. They married in September 1959, beginning a lifelong adventure together.

Their journey took them across the country, from Denver to Los Angeles, then Seattle, and back to Denver, where they ran a mobile home and RV park. Never ones to shy away from new experiences, Sylvia and Bob later lived in Las Vegas before finally settling in Tucson in 1990, where they built a home and a life filled with warmth, friendship, and community.

Sylvia was known for her kindness, her creativity, and her boundless curiosity. She had a gift for making things by hand, from sewing and crafting to baking elaborate birthday cakes. She was always willing to share her knowledge, whether it was teaching her daughters her crafts or refinishing furniture to make a house feel like home. Her resourcefulness and determination meant she could solve just about any problem, and she passed that strength and independence on to her family.

She was an adventurer at heart, traveling far and wide with Bob after retirement, collecting memories, and sharing stories. Sylvia’s warmth extended beyond her family—she was a natural at making friends, always taking time to make people feel welcome and valued in her many communities—choir groups, charity and volunteer groups, social and bridge clubs, and many more.

Sylvia is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Bob; her loving daughters, Teresa and Denise (Rego); her cherished granddaughters, jen, Shae, and Lara; her sister Carmela (John);  numerous nieces and nephews, one great-grandson and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Kevin, whose memory she carried with her always.

Sylvia’s legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with her love, her wisdom, and her unwavering spirit. Her family and friends will forever hold her in their hearts.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N Camino Pío Décimo, Tucson, AZ on March 8th, 2025 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to a charity of your choice that reflects her love of creativity or community.