Sylvia Ann Szymanski

Sylvia Szymanski

Sylvia Ann Szymanski, 82, died on February 15, 2026, in Kirkland, Washington, after a year-long struggle with blood and bone cancer. Sylvia was born on February 19, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to John and Anna Grzyb.

She married Donald Szymanski on October 12, 1963, in Chicago. Together they moved their family from the Chicago area to Seattle in August of 1979. Once her daughters were grown, Sylvia launched a successful career in sales, joining Microsoft Corporation in 1985 as one of its first 1,000 employees. She managed inside sales organizations and concluded her professional journey in product management, retiring at 55.

In retirement, she filled her time with the things she loved most: traveling throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe, golfing, playing board games and Mahjong, and devouring books. She could never leave a Barnes & Noble without a new title in hand. She adored her daughters and grandchildren and faithfully rooted for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and the Washington State Cougars. Above all, she will be remembered for her feisty spirit and her strong, unapologetic opinions. People were drawn to her energy and her candor — and she was always ready to raise a glass of wine or Sambuca, no matter the occasion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, John and Norbert; and her beloved husband, Donald. She is survived by her sister, Alice (Grzyb) LaValle; her daughters, Joyce of Seattle, Karen Eschbach (Matt) of Belfair, Washington, and Mary Schneider (Dave) of Pullman, Washington; and her grandchildren, Benjamin Szymanski and Emma and Evan Eschbach.

In lieu of flowers, please cheer on the Seattle Mariners to their first World Series in her honor.

Funeral service with a reception to follow is scheduled for Monday, June 29 at Holy Family Church in Kirkland, Washington at 11 a.m.