Mansfield News Journal Thursday April 18, 1963: A Tribute to a True Fighter - Sylvia Awe's Unwavering Spirit

Sylvia Awe was a true fighter who defied the odds and inspired those around her with her unwavering spirit. When she broke a hip several years ago, at an age when many would have been crippled or bedridden for life, she rebounded with determination and resilience. She underwent surgery after surgery, eventually having two knees and a hip replaced, yet she never lost her sense of humor even in the midst of pain.

Sylvia's love story began during World War II, when she met her beloved husband Hugh, whom she would later lose to a heart attack at the age of 40. Despite this devastating blow, Sylvia found the strength to rear their three young daughters on her own and continued to work as a seamstress for 23 years, providing for her family.

But Sylvia's journey was not without its challenges. Growing up in rural South Dakota during the Great Depression, she developed a strong sense of character that would serve her well throughout her life. She moved to Vancouver, Washington, after graduating from high school in 1943 and worked manual labor jobs at canneries, meat packing plants, and aluminum mills.

Sylvia's courage and determination were forged during World War II, when she traveled over 1,500 miles from her hometown to a major U.S. city after living all her life in rural South Dakota. This experience had a profound impact on her, shaping her into the fighter, overcomer, and survivor she would become.

Throughout her long life, Sylvia faced many hardships, setbacks, and disappointments, but she never became embittered or resentful about what life dealt her. Instead, she chose to live life to the fullest with a positive attitude, inspiring those around her with her unwavering spirit.

Sylvia's story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Greatest Generation, a group dubbed by NBC Newscaster Tom Brokaw for their bravery and determination during times of war and hardship. Sylvia was among the last of this dwindling number, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

In remembrance of Sylvia's life, her family and friends came together to celebrate her unwavering spirit and the impact she had on those around her. Her story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose how we respond, and that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.

Mansfield news journal thursday april 18 1963