Sylvia Ann Sanom

Sylvia Ann Sanom was born on April 27, 1943 in Detroit Michigan to Starr and Albert Gazoul. As the eldest daughter of five children, she delighted in caring for others from a very young age, and would continue to do so throughout her life. Faith in God and love of family were engrained in her from a young age. She was valedictorian of her High School and went on to obtain a teaching degree in Spanish at Wayne State University. She became a middle school Spanish teacher and was beloved by her students. In 1966, she married Dr. George Sanom and was swept away to Fresno, California. Their marriage lasted nearly 57 years. As a devoted mother to her four children—Greg, Lynne, Brian, and Daniel—she made the sacrificial decision to stay at home and raise her family. She immersed herself in her kid’s activities, from Girl Scout Troop leader to Sunday School teacher to number one fan at countless sporting events, band concerts, dance recitals, and other performances.

Once her children were all school aged, Sylvia returned to her teaching career and it blossomed under her insatiable love for Spanish education. She was affectionately called Señora Sanom by thousands of students across Northwest Fresno. She was an entrepreneur, starting with private Spanish lessons for her youngest son Daniel and two neighborhood kids when they were in kindergarten. This progressed into a career at the Fresno Montessori School which she continued until her passing. Other ventures included her famous Spanish summer camps, volunteering regularly in elementary school classes, and tutoring all levels of Spanish from middle school through college. Sylvia’s children and grandchildren were blessed to be included in all of her Spanish endeavors.

Sylvia was a devoted wife, mother, and fiercely loyal friend, building many lifetimes worth of relationships. If you knew her, she loved you. If you ever shared a disagreement, she forgave you. She was the forever optimist, always thinking about others before herself. Bringing joy and comfort to others was her life’s mission. On weekend afternoons, you could find our selfless Sylvia dancing to the “oldies” with a friend suffering from Alzheimer's just to brighten her day, taking food to the neighbors because there was more than enough to go around, working with her grandchildren on their Spanish homework, enjoying tea with friends, or Facetiming with family across the country. All that she had, she gave to others; this was her mantra in life.

Sylvia fell asleep in the Lord on June 6, 2023. Sylvia is survived by her husband George; her four children, Greg and wife Kacey, Lynne and husband Rudy, Daniel and wife Kori, and Brian; her 10 grandchildren, Abigayle and husband Jasir, Analyse and husband Stephen, Christopher, Zachary, Kaeden, Paige, JackQuin, Owen, Evan, and Kenzie; and great granddaughters Esther and Phoebe; as well as four siblings, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends that she considered family.

Sylvia/Mom/Sittu was the best person we have ever known and will ever know. She was our rock and the glue that held us all together. She had so much life left in her, and we are devastated by the sudden loss of the many years we assumed we had left together. Our greatest comforts lie in the assurance that in the end, she did not suffer; and in the knowledge that the love wake that she left will continue to ripple on in our treasured memories of her. She was loved more than she could ever know.

A visitation for Sylvia will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720 and Flowers can be sent to Whitehurst Sullivan Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will occur Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church, 5073 N. Palm Ave, Fresno, CA 93704.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Sanom family.