Sylvia Marie Stephens, 72, of Jefferson City, peacefully passed away on January 23, 2019. She entered the world with a bang on July 4, 1946, setting a precedent for how she would live for the rest of her life. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to John M. and Frances (Brink) Griga, she attended St. Charles Borromeo Elementary School in Carthage, Ohio and graduated from Our Lady of Angels High School in 1964. After high school, she worked for the Mechanical Supplies Company in Gulf Manor, Ohio until 1971, when she moved to Jefferson City to become the Office Manager at the Heart of Missouri Girl Scouts Council. In Missouri, she was able to pursue her dream of owning a horse. Sylvia was a natural and talented equestrian and horsewoman. Through her love of horses, she met her true love - Wilkinson A. (Steve) Stephens. They were married on November 28, 1975, moving to Tebbetts where she and Steve lived happily with their horses, dogs, and cats for nearly 23 years. Sylvia began working in 1978 for the Construction Industry Laborers Welfare, Pension & Vacation Funds. She worked there for 30 years, making many close friends who became her Missouri Family.
Sylvia’s sense of humor made each of us smile and her innate ability to make light and fun of any situation was Sylvia’s gift to all of us. She was a special friend to many, a crazy and fun Aunt, loving wife, sister and daughter. Her strong but infectiously positive spirit will be sorely missed by all. Sylvia is survived by her Missouri Family of close friends, brother John “Mike” (Ann) Griga, sisters JoAnn (Dennis) White and Margaret Tierney, all of Cincinnati. She was very close to her nieces, Laura (Michael) Julian of Columbus, Ohio and Beth (Bruno) Lanman of Covington, Kentucky. Sylvia is survived by many nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews who enjoyed many fun times with her, especially endless games of Blitz.
Sylvia was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Steve Stephens; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Maureen and Edward Kistner and brother, Steven Griga.
Friends are invited to celebrate her life from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Debo Funeral Home in Holts Summit. She will join her husband Steve in the Mausoleum at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS), Samaritan Center or the Central Missouri Food Bank all in care of Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, Missouri 65251.
