Sylvia J Powell

Heaven received Sylvia Jean Salemi Powell on May 15, 2025. She went peacefully in her sleep and heaven waited 87 years for her arrival. She was an artist, dancer, musician, writer, and teacher. She also loved her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She loved hosting parties for family and friends but especially for her grandchildren, calling them Cousins’ Parties! But most importantly, she loved spending time with her sweetheart, Rick, traveling, sailing, parasailing, and writing.

She was preceded by her husband Richard D Powell, her parents Frank J and Lucy Raznoff Salemi, her sister Priscilla Ruilova, and her daughter Priscilla Powell Dubas. She is survived by her daughters Heidi and Yvette, her nine grandchildren Daniel, Charis, Myra, Brandon, Caylinn, Alyssa, Stephen, Jonathan, Victoria, and her eight great-grandchildren, Madison, Mackenzie, Richard, Charles, Beatrice, Theodore, Ryan, and baby-Valdez-on-the-way.

She was born July 21, 1937 and grew up in Tampa, Florida. She studied dance, music, and art throughout her childhood. Sylvia graduated from Plant High School, was her class treasurer, a cheerleader, and the piano player for the high school dance band. She attended the University of Tampa and Florida State for her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She studied film at the Film Institute in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, Multimedia Design at Indiana University, Commercial Art at the Institute of Technology, and earned her master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at National-Louis University.

She wrote, drew, painted, performed, and danced through life. Her most beloved work was when she wrote “Peace, Peace” and “Big Bobby Black Bear and Little Baby Brother Bubba” with her husband Rick. She traveled with her husband, whom she met in Florida, to New Jersey, Germany, Tennessee, Israel, Korea, Indiana, Virginia, and then returned to Florida to be with family. She enjoyed working with him on his music, projects, and publications.

She loved learning about and implementing the idea of using music, movement, and art to open blocks in the brain for her students, fellow teachers, but especially for her grandchildren. The most amazing thing she did was to pass on her love of music, art, dance, and life to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was a devoted child of God and lived by Proverbs 3:24, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (NIV)

Sweet sleep to you Sylvia, Mom, Ami Ami, and Grandma…we will love you forever and always.