Sylvia Diane Heerspink passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at her son and daughter-in-law's home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.  Complications from cancer ultimately took her life, yet she kept fighting until her last breath.  She was born in Mount Vernon on November 19, 1951, to John and Mildred Taft, joining seven older siblings.

She grew up on Fir Island and received her schooling at Conway, Cleveland and Lincoln Elementary Schools.  Sylvia graduated with the Mount Vernon High School class of 1969.

In 1971, she welcomed her only child, Shane, who lovingly cared for her until her passing.

Sylvia worked in manufacturing at both Rothenbuhler Engineering and Dri-Eze, retiring in 2001.

She was married to John Heerspink and they spent 40 years together until his passing in 2018.  Together they spent 40 years of Friday nights at Deming Speedway and Saturday nights at Skagit Speedway.  They traveled extensively throughout the United States going wherever the races took them, making lifelong friends along the way.

Sylvia was a voracious reader, reading over 150 books a year.  She loved being a grandma to her grandsons.  She never passed up a Coors Light and was known for her homemade coffee cocktails.  Not being a big conversationalist, people were still drawn to her sense of humor and big heart.

She is survived by her son, Shane Parker and his wife, Cookie of Sedro-Woolley; grandsons, Brady Parker and Colton Mailliard; sisters, Donna (Gerald) Thomsen, Mary Sloan, Nancy Eliassen and Ellen Taft; along with many nieces and nephews.

Sylvia is predeceased by her siblings, Marlene "Suzie" Brenneman, Sharon Robinson and her brother, Johnny Taft.

We will be celebrating Sylvia's life on June 15, 2024, at 2 pm at Shane and Cookie's home.

We miss you.

Please share your memories of Sylvia and sign the online guest register.