Sylvia Ann Dobrzanski

Sylvia Ann Dobrzanski, age 98, passed peacefully in her sleep on January 8, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. She was born on July 16, 1927, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the eldest of four children born to Sylvester and Elizabeth Wolfe. Sylvia lived a long, beautiful life filled with love, generosity, joy, and deep faith. A devout Catholic, Sylvia drew strength and comfort from her faith throughout her life, living each day guided by compassion, gratitude, and trust in God.

Sylvia had an enduring love for the beach and found her happiest moments in the salt water, soaking up the sunshine and the calm it brought her. She was an active member of a bowling league for many years, a past time that reflected both her competitive spirit and her love for friendship and community. Known for her unwavering optimism, Sylvia always lived with a glass-half-full outlook, meeting life with positivity and grace.

As the wife of a military man, Sylvia proudly enjoyed the privileges of being part of the MacDill Air Force Base community, embracing the lifestyle and friendships that came with it. Above all else, she was the rock of the family - the steady, loving presence everyone depended on. Sylvia was a caretaker in the truest sense, always putting others first and making sure her family was cared for in every way.

Her grandchildren held a particular special place in her heart. To them, Grandma Sylvia was pure love and generosity. Anything they wanted or needed, she made sure they had. Her home and her heart were always open, filled with warmth, comfort, and unconditional love.

Sylvia will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and selfless devotion to her family. Always impeccably styled, she expressed her personality through her beautiful costume jewelry, adding sparkle and elegance that became a signature of her presence. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the love she gave so freely. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Sylvia Ann Dobrzanski was preceded in death by her husband 1st Lt. Joseph A. Dobrzanski; her three sons, Joseph R. Dobrzanski, Anthony S. Dobrzanski, Robert F. Dobrzanski; and her two grandsons, Philip Scott Dobrzanski and Nicholas Arthur Garland. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Lea Bashline; Grandchildren, Michelle Garland, C.J. Garland, Adam Garland, Cari & Paul Majors, Erin & Zach Brown, Joe & Cori Dobrzanski, and Sherri Lang; as well as 18 great grandchildren.