Obituary of Sylvia Ann Wall

Obituary -- Sylvia A. Wall Sylvia A. Wall passed away May 9 at the age of 85. Sylvia was born 12/12/25 in Aberdeen Washington, the first child of John and Emma Niemi. She spent her early years in the Grays Harbor area where her father worked as a longshoreman and fisherman, and later on the family's cranberry farm in Grayland. She graduated from Ocosta High School where she was Valedictorian of her class and both she and her younger sister, Gertrude Thompson, competed on both the basketball and track teams. She spent her summers working in the local crab canneries. Following high school Sylvia attended the University of Washington where she received both her undergraduate and master's degrees. While attending UW she met her future husband, Robert E. Wall, Jr., a WWII Army Air Corps veteran and an engineering student at the UW. After completing her education Sylvia began her teaching career at Montesano High School, a career that would ultimately span 5 decades. Sylvia and Bob Jr. were married in 1951. They lived in Seattle while Bob Jr. completed his education. During the Seattle years both of their children were born - Susan in 1954 and Robert (Bob III) in 1955. The family moved to Arcadia California in 1960. When her children reached their teenage years Sylvia resumed teaching, first at Canyon High School in Monrovia where she also served as Assistant Principal, and later adding night classes at Pasadena City College. She continued teaching up until 2000 when health reasons caused her to move to Aptos California to be closer to her family. In addition to being an avid reader, Sylvia greatly enjoyed both entertaining and travelling. Her Christmas Caroling parties in particular were a local favorite. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage. Sylvia was preceeded in death by her parents and her husband Bob Jr. She is survived by her sister Gertrude Thompson of Olympia Washington, her sister-in-law Lee Gill of Redmond Washington, her daughter Susan Wall M.D. of Atlanta, her son and daughter-in-law Bob III and Nancy Wall of Aptos, her grandchildren Bobby (Robert IV) and Meredith Wall, her many nieces and nephews and close friends. The family wishes to thank Jeannine Rodems, MD for her excellent and compassionate care. A private gathering will be set for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692 or call 1(800)242-8721.