Sylvana Garcia Hernandez

March 17, 1956 – November 6, 2020

Sylvana Garcia Hernandez, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 6, 2020 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan.

Sylvana was the grounding energy that held her family together; and she had that vigor her entire life. In her early years, Sylvana was a dance instructor and a competitive ballroom dancer, winning several regional competitions. She had been an active advocate in many humanitarian and health organizations. Sylvana had an extensive network of loyal and devoted friends; some of which blossomed in her early years and were considered “family” to her. Sylvana continued to make friends all over the world with her loving and open heart. She truly enjoyed singing, dancing, and all types of music. She was wildly creative and always approached everything with a positive attitude and fiery spirit. Sylvana retired from the State of Michigan, DNR, in 2002.

She was a strongly devoted wife and mother, and her love for her family was evident in her lifelong dedication to them. She absolutely had a heart of gold and a soul of steel. While Sylvana’s family grieves her loss, they are choosing to remember her in a way that honors her spirit. Her tender presence may be gone, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of many.

Sylvana is survived by her mother, Aurora G. Franco; loving husband of 27 years, Alvaro Hernandez, Jr.; daughters Bianca Franco McFarlane, Margo McFarlane, Nina (Dominic) Knighton; Grandchildren Lazaro Arroyo, Nadia Arroyo, Adrian Arroyo, Taylor Knighton, Avery Couzzins, and Oliver Knighton; siblings Gloria (Jesse) Capetillo, Fred Franco, Joe Franco, Monica (Joe) Paparella, and Michael Franco. Sylvana was a second Mother to not only her younger brother and sister but also to her nieces and nephews: Mark, Rene, Joe A, Tammy and Priscilla Franco. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfredo O. Franco.