Loving mother, aunt, grandmother (Oma) and great-grandmother, Sylvia was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands to Neltje and Lodewijk Boger (who preceded her in death) in August of 1942. At the age of 6, she and her parents, along with several other family members immigrated to the US to avoid the dangers of World War II. They came to the US by a difficult boat trip, but eventually settled in the Millcreek Utah area, where they lived primarily. Sylvia learned English quickly and helped her parents with translation. But she always loved her native country and went back several times to visit, hoping to return one last time this coming spring.
While in high school, Sylvia met the love of her life, James Barry Robb (who preceded her in death) and when she was 20 years old and he 22, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. She helped her husband through medical school and talked often about what a wonderful life they had built together in their early years. They had four children they loved very much: Debbie Robb (Michelle Burnett), Kristin Russon (Barton Russon), Matthew Robb (Alexis Peterson Robb) and Stephanie Anderson (Kevin Anderson). Later, they divorced after more than 30 years of marriage, which was one of the great sorrows of her life.
Sylvia was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she received great comfort and much joy from the Church, her relationships with ward members and singing in the ward choir. She served in many positions in the Church, including as Primary President and as part of the Relief Society leadership. But she loved her service mission the most, as a Hostess at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, welcoming visitors and helping them through the building. She loved interacting with the visitors and meeting new people from all over the world.
She had many talents, but the easiest to see was that she was a wonderful cook (one of her love languages was cooking and baking for others or hosting events), a talented interior decorator and had a keen eye for always dressing with style and class. She always looked beautiful when she went out. Music and dancing were some of her great joys.
Very active, until her health deteriorated too much to participate, she enjoyed playing tennis, bowling, skiing, aerobics, travelling around the world and oh yes, shopping. Her most beloved activity, however, was spending time with her family. Her Dutch heritage gave her a strong sense of family and the importance of togetherness, along with a bit of stubbornness. She loved her children fiercely and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Simply being with her loved ones, talking and laughing, sometimes until she had tears in her eyes, made her glow for days. It didn’t really matter the activity as long as her family was nearby.
She possessed a warm, loving soul with a big heart. She had great capacity for forgiveness and used it often. If you needed her help, she would be there for you with a hug and words of wisdom (or a homemade dessert). She will be missed greatly by many and there will be a hole in our hearts. However, our spirits will be lifted up by remembering the joyful/happy times we all had with her, her easy laughter and knowing that we will meet again.
An afternoon viewing for Sylvia will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM at West Jordan Utah Westland Stake, 7265 S. 2700 W., West Jordan, UT 84084. A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM, 7265 S. 2700 W., West Jordan, UT 84084. An interment will occur Monday, December 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106.
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