Sylvia Elizabeth Timmerman

Sylvia Elizabeth (Tuttle) Timmerman, passed away on Monday, May 25th, in Bremerton, WA, after a short battle with an aggressive cancer.  Sylvia was born on May 13, 1935, in Seattle and was a lifelong resident of Washington.  

Sylvia was the daughter of Hiram and Sylvia Lindstrom Tuttle and grew up in Kirkland, graduating from Lake Washington HS in 1953.  She went on to the University of Washington where she majored in Elementary Education.  She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, where she was the Rush Chairman and served as the UW Senior Class Secretary in 1957.  It was at Sigma Kappa where she met a young man working as a “House Boy”, Steve James, who was completing his MBA at the UW.

Following graduation, Sylvia married Stephen John James in 1957 in Chicago, IL.  Together, they had a son Mark William James of Issaquah and a daughter Kristine Elizabeth (James) Sahlinger of Bellevue. 

Sylvia taught elementary school at Fort Belvoir, VA, where Steve was serving in the Army.  She later taught in the Port Orchard, Mercer Island and Bellevue School Districts.  Steve passed away in a tragic boating accident in May 1966.  

Sylvia immediately went back to school at the UW to gain her Master’s Degree in Education.  She spent the next 26 years teaching in the Bellevue School District at various grade levels from Jr. High to Elementary where she retired in 1990.

In 1973, she married Robert Geppinger. who passed away in 1988 due to cancer.  During the years together, they spent much of their time boating and joined by close friends and family.

Sylvia married Richard Timmerman in 1992 and they enjoyed 28 beautiful years together as soulmates, highlighted by many memorable years of boating and travel.  This included a special voyage cruising to Alaska via the inside passage on their beloved boat the “Vagabond”.  Sylvia and Richard not only enjoyed traveling, but especially loved spending time together in their beautiful waterfront home in Port Ludlow.

She adored her all her grandchildren, was a lifelong Husky and avid Seahawk fan.  Richard and Sylvia were longtime members of Queen City Yacht Club, took many trips over the years and particularly enjoyed their time share in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

Sylvia is survived by husband Richard; two children Mark James (Leona) and Kristine Sahlinger (Bill); 5 grandchildren, sister, Marcia Anne Butler and extended family by marriage of 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

We were blessed to have Sylvia for 85 wonderful years and always celebrated family time over holidays and birthday get togethers.  We will miss her gorgeous blue eyes and her gracious and loving nature.

A private service for family will be held per Sylvia’s wishes. 

Please sign the tribute wall/guest book and donate to the charity of your choice.

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