Death Notice

Mrs. Sylvia Neighbors

September 28, 1919 - March 02, 2010

Sylvia (nee Luttrell) Neighbors, a resident of Milford for the past 9 years, passed away at her home on Tuesday afternoon, March 2, 2010. She was 90 years old.
Sylvia Lorene Luttrell was born September 28, 1919, in southern Missouri, the eldest of the two daughters of William and Nellie Gentry. Her mother remarried and provided Sylvia with two more sisters and two brothers; Sylvia outlived all of her siblings. When she was eighteen, she married Stewart Jones (died 1942); they raised two children, Patty and Jim, in Springfield, IL. In 1949, she married George Neighbors and the family moved to Detroit. George and Sylvia added three sons to the family -- Marty, Gary and Joe, who all grew up in Oak Park. After George’s death in 1995, Sylvia eventually moved to Milford.
She retired after 20 years in Oak Park School District, working in the cafeteria and eventually as the assistant director of the Food Services department. During that time, she was active at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Society.
So proud of her Irish heritage, Sylvia was a member of the Hibernian Society, and walked in many St. Patrick’s Day parades in Detroit. Three trips to Ireland – one with George, carousing in pubs and making friends wherever they went; one trip with her 5 children and spouses, in honor of her 80th birthday; and a trip with her daughter and granddaughter – kept her connected with her roots. Everything Irish, all the time – that was our mom.
As a young couple, George and Sylvia with three kids, went on numerous dates to the Tiger games – camped out in the bleachers. She attended a Tiger game, just this past summer. She loved her Detroit Tigers.
Sylvia and George spent several winters in McAllen, Texas, as “snowbirds”, expanding their circle of friends. And during those retirement years, Sylvia connected with some of her half-siblings – her father’s children that she had never met or didn’t know they existed.
Family was everything to Sylvia, enjoying her 5 children, 18 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Every new family member was special and her pride and joy – she loved those babies! All of her grandchildren (and many great grandchildren) remember her attending as many baseball and soccer games, recitals, graduations, Grand-Parents’ Day, etc., as she could.
As her health failed her, she was visited daily by at least one of her children. Their love and care contributed to her longevity. She, along with her stories and her wisdom, will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1955 E. Commerce Rd., Saturday, March 6th at 12 Noon with Fr. Ron Anderson officiating. Friends may visit at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 East Liberty, Milford on Friday 4-9PM. Vigil Service Friday 7PM. Burial at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly Township. Memorials may be made in her name to St. Joseph Mercy-Livingston Hospice. For further information please phone 248-684-6645.

Condolences:

We are thinking of all the Family in this time of sadness. Sylvia was a beautiful and grand lady who truly was so very proud of her family. She will be remember always a a loving and giving woman. May God Bless her always!

Bob and Sheila Schenk

We would like to send our condolences to the entire Neighbors family. We have many happy memories of growing up next door with Sylvia as our second Mom. We were always welcome in your home. It was a wonderful time to be a kid on Meadowlark Street and our parents made it even more special. Sylvia will always be fondly remembered by Fred for treating him like one of her own kids. Love Fred, Sue and Kathy Dueball

Fred Dueball

There was no better place to grow up other than Meadowlark. Sylvia will be missed. Her home was always open to all of us and many of us spent hours playing there. Sylvia was my mother's guardian angel in her long illness. She will be truly missed. How wonderful to have just celebrated her blessed life at her 90th birthday party. She is now in heaven with her beloved George. Fondly, Cheryl (Warner) Fox

Cheryl and Kevin Fox

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. She was a special person and we enjoyed meeting her at the Moose.

Fred & Bev Vandervennet

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Keep the love and warmth of her smile in your heart and remember how much she loved you all. We will remember her in our hearts always.

Mary K Neighbors McKenrick

Our heartfelt condolences to the whole family. Sylvia was always full of life. Jim will always remember their minute of tv fame. When the tv cameras captured them dancing on St Patrick's day at McCarthy's Party! That's how we will always think of her-laughing and full of fun. We know you all will miss her and will keep you all in our prayers.

Carol and Jim Dillon

In loving memory of Aunt Sylvia, she will be missed dearly. We are so happy we were able to help her celebrate her 90th birthday. She looked so elegant as she always did and she got to see a lot of old and dear friends and relatives. The family will remain in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Connie and Tim Young

The Milford American Legion Auxiliary is sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Neighbors. Your family is in our prayers.

Sheila Maxwell

Pat and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. I know you have enjoyed many good years with your Mom and will have lots of good memories to treasure. You will be blessed for all that you did for her and for all of your love. Our greatest sympathy to you and your family. Love Barb and Lee Koeplinger

Barbara Koeplinger

we are cousins and didnt get to know each other until a few years ago. the day we meet was the greatest day of my life, i meet the most wonderful,caring, compasanet lady ever. we had some nice talks,about familyand that means so much to me.i have so much more to say about her it would take up several pages more. i cant say enough about this terrific lady. we will always love and miss her. to jim, patty, marty, joe, and gary, also all of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren love cousin louise

louise and george clark

We grew up knowing Sylvia & George as "Aunt Sylvia & Uncle George". They were close friends of my mother, Bea Orlando (who has passed away) and my father, Steve Orlando. Dad and Uncle George had a fencing business together and were great frilends. We had many good times going over to their house. There was always laughter and joking. They will both be sorely missed, but remembered. My prayers are with the whole family. Dianne Orlando Shekell

Dianne (Orlando) Shekell

Sylvia, was my first cousin, my Aunt Nellie's daughter, I met her and George one time when they visited my mother in Bakersfield, Calif. many years ago, my mother was Pauline Lloyd, she was Uncle Paul Gentry's twin. I was so sorry to learn of her passing, she seemed like a great lady, I had the pleasure of cooking one meal for her and George, Thank you to her family for telling about the Irish heritage, I was unaware of this.we all need to know our roots, may the good Lord keep you and bless you dureing this difficult time, God bless you all, Mildred Young

Mildred Young

Many fond memories of Sylvia and George on Meadowlark. I was so glad to be able to go to her 90th b-day party and reconnect with the family. Paul Schram

paul schram

Irene and I will mis Sylvia.We spent many evenings in Sylvia and George"s back yard talking . drinking beer, having a good time. Whenever we had a party George and Sylvia were always the last to leave. It was wonderful. we loved the Neighbor family and of course Sylvia the. Sylvia has been called home. Brian and Irene, Dale , Paul and Neil

Brian and Irene Schram

My sister, Dianne Shekell, said it all in an earlier post, but I will concur that we all have the nicest memories of Uncle George and Aunt Sylvia. They were very dear to me and my other six siblings, but even dearer to my mom & dad. Such good, long time friends, they will both remain in my heart always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Maria Orlando Double