Sylvia Perlowski
August 21, 2020
Sylvia Griffis Perlowski, 73, of Alachua County lost her brave battle with cancer on Friday, August 21, 2020. She is survived by her sister, Elaine Boggs; children, Sybil and David Stillwell; and her loving husband of 28 years, Ken Perlowski. Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents and younger siblings, Ramona Myers and Jim Griffis.
Sylvia graduated from Old Dominion University in Virginia in, December 1989, with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Advocating for children was her passion. She worked as a substitute teacher and as a field investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She volunteered at St. Patrick’s, her granddaughters’ school Gainesville, and tutored at the Manatee County Juvenile Detention Center. She especially enjoyed working with children who have special needs.
She was born to James and Rachel Griffis on June 1, 1947, in Homerville, Ga and moved to Alachua with her family during her childhood. Sylvia loved playing with her grandchildren, Lyra and Kaya. Often striking up a conversation with the people around her, Sylvia never knew a stranger. She was sometimes a spontaneous person who surprised us all by doing things like jumping out of an airplane. She loved nature, gardening, and collecting many things. We could always count on her to give her honest opinion.
Sylvia was loved more than words can express and will be missed for her blue eyes, smile, sense of humor, and words of wisdom we now appreciate so much more. Sylvia a loving mother, wife, daughter gave us all a lifetime of fond memories that will live on with the legacy of kindness, tolerance, and understanding left behind by her.
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I love and miss you mom.
Thank you Sylvia for the time we had with Sybil, David, and all the other family and friends.  I would ask a favor of you, give both our Moms a big hug up there and let them know I haven’t found food as good as theirs. Happiness to you!
You will be missed by many and are loved by many. Fly high cuz. You are no longer in pain. Give all the family up there a big hug from all of us down here.
God got another Angel, God Bless My Friend and May You RIP.
I am missing seeing you and the long conversations we had. I never imagined your breast cancer had spread. Bless our sweet Lord you did not suffer long. I know in my heart God, Mom, Dad, Mona and Jim met you at the pearly gate with loving arms. I love you!
Elaine and Family,
Sorry for your loss. Sylvia was a sweet lady. Grief can be hard, but special memories help to cope.
Sincere Condolences
Dee Williams Watson
Sylvia, you will truly be missed! We started K at Stephen Foster together, and also went to Parkview Baptist Church where you had my mama for a Sunday School teacher. My prayers are with your family!!!
We are very sad for your loss and keeping Ken and the family in our prayers.
Sending our love and prayers to David and Nicole for your lose. We all have great memories at Mamaws house playing in the creek. Asking God to fill your hearts with peace and comfort in this time. We are very sorry, but know we’re thinking of you all! With love and blessings, Peggy, Jason, and Hannah
Ken, so very sorry to hear of Sylvia's passing. Â My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Â God bless. Â Marnie
I want to personally thank all for the kind words spoken for our family and my mother Sylvia. For me losing her was losing my best friend, my confidant, commiserater, my number one fan and cheerleader. She always had a hug for me and shoulder to cry on. Like most sons, we have a special place in our hearts for our mom. There is no greater void now in my life than has ever there was with losing her. Thankfully, I too will perish eventually, so i will no longer have to shed these tears and feel this void. Until that fine day, I fully intend to live a life with meaning, contious in all thoughts, to know Sylvia would be proud of her kids and grandchildren so forth into future generations we cant imagine their names yet. I feel that for generations already that endured so we could be here, also we owe them. She will always be my inspiration to move my life in a positive direction.
I want to thank my mom here for giving me, that life worth living!
I want to personally thank all for the kind words spoken for our family and my mother Sylvia. For me losing her was losing my best friend, my confidant, commiserater, my number one fan and cheerleader. She always had a hug for me and shoulder to cry on. Like most sons, we have a special place in our hearts for our mom. There is no greater void now in my life than has ever there was with losing her. Thankfully, I too will perish eventually, so i will no longer have to shed these tears and feel this void. Until that fine day, I fully intend to live a life with meaning, contious in all thoughts, to know Sylvia would be proud of her kids and grandchildren so forth into future generations we cant imagine their names yet. I feel that for generations already that endured so we could be here, also we owe them. She will always be my inspiration to move my life in a positive direction.
I want to thank my mom here for giving me, that life worth living!
The hole in my heart is filled with special memories of a special friend. You are missed. Love and hugs and prayers to your family.