Obituary of Sylvia Hayes Guilfoil

Sylvia Hayes Guilfoil, 1950-2008 Devoted sister, aunt, animal lover and longtime Washington State employee Sylvia Guilfoil passed away at her home April 4 after a valiant struggle with chronic health problems. She is remembered for her compassion toward friends and strangers alike, her generosity, her graciousness and her stubborn determination to infuse the world with joy. Sylvia was born in Atlanta on Halloween Day to Dr. Paul H. Guilfoil, a surgeon with the Veterans Administration, and Elizabeth J. Guilfoil, a medical librarian. The family, including an older sister and two younger brothers, moved around the country to VA centers in Connecticut, Kansas and Ohio before finally settling in Spokane when Sylvia was a teenager. After graduating from Shadle Park High School, Sylvia studied fine arts at Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University. In 1980, she moved to Olympia and began her career with the state. Most of the next 27 years were spent with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Social and Health Services. Sylvia took tremendous pride in her role as a state employee, embracing every opportunity to demonstrate to citizens that their government truly cared about them. Outside the office, Sylvia was devoted to her "critters" -- her dogs Mandy, Ebony and Barron, her cats, and most recently her neighborhood raccoons and birds. Sylvia's artistry manifested itself in her colorful wardrobe, her playful home decorations, her lush gardens, and the elaborate brochures and posters she designed at the office. Sylvia kept a treasure chest of all-occasion gifts on hand for young visitors, and her niece and nephews could always count on a card, warm wishes and some money from Aunt Sylvia every birthday and Christmas, even when funds were tight. "I cannot express to you enough my sorrow for your loss," one friend wrote upon learning of her death. "Sylvia was a beautiful woman. I worked with her for many years and enjoyed her tremendously. The one thing that stands out in my mind about Sylvia was that she always had kind words of encouragement for whomever she was speaking to. She never failed at telling me how pretty I was, or that she loved what I was wearing, or that my hair was perfect. Regardless of what I really looked like that day, she made me feel beautiful and special and ALWAYS made my day brighter. ... She was the kind of person who wanted to see everyone happy and made the effort to put a smile on the faces of those around her, and she was always successful! She will be greatly missed." Indeed she will be. Sylvia is survived by her sister, Cary in Spokane; brothers Paul in Olympia and Michael in Seattle; niece Kelly and nephews David, Paul and Robin; and two grandnephews. No formal service is planned, per her instructions. But in accordance with her Irish heritage and her love of celebrations, a wake is planned for later this spring. We hope you can join us then for a picnic in an Olympia park when we honor Sylvia's memory with a toast, and swap favorite anecdotes. Meanwhile, anyone who feels inclined to make a donation in Sylvia's name is encouraged to direct it toward a local animal shelter or the Humane Society.