Sylvia was a mentor for me while I was at UM.  I googled her name so I could perhaps tell her what she meant to me.  I ended up in Women's Health in College Health and deal with many things Sylvia would appreciate.  At least I can tell you all that she touched my life in a very positive way.  Thanks Sylvia

Randi & Juliana, we are so sorry to hear about your loss. We want you both to know that you remain in our thoughts and prayers.

George & Cynthia Norton, Martina Urbinati

To the Hacker family:
My deepest sympathies for the loss of Sylvia. May God's Word strengthen you during this time of mourning. (Isa. 41:10,13)

Sylvia will be missed in many places and for many good reasons. Thank you for sharing so much of her life's story with such fun.

Sylvia was a special delight to me.  I was honored to take pictures of she and her Family a few years ago.  She will be missed.

My sympathies to her family and great big thank you too for sharing her with us all those years. As a teacher, friend, and mentor she was the BEST! It seems like yesterday that she roasted herself at her 80th birthday party. Where did the years go. I know she has been well received on the other side, but do you really think they were ready for her??? I can't wait to get there and find out:-) Sexy Minutes, with Sylvia Hacker and St. Peter:-) I will miss you until then Sylvia!

I too was saddend to learn of Sylvia's passing.  She was a dear friend and mentor to me.  I met her when we were both working in Community Health Nursing, she on the faculty, and myself in administration.  To say she was a delight to be around is a complete understatement.  We would frequenlty have "lunc" together which was our own private joke and I can still hear her infectious laughter over the lunc joke.  It never got old .  She was one in a million, and anyone who knew her well would attest to the truth of that statement.  She made the world a better place and all of us who knew her are better people because of our relationships with her.  My sympathies go out to her family.  And Julianne, at every "lunc" we had together she talked of you.  I'm sure you know how much she loved you.

When I started teaching sex ed for 10th graders, I often heard Sylvia's voice guiding me and also challenging me to be honest, funny, and open about this wonderful subject. She was a great inspiration to many. I remember her very fondly and with great appreciation for the few conversations we had - which were always very immediately intimate and great fun. My thoughts are with her family.

Sylvia is what all teacher should be like, honest, open, humorous, thoughtful and always smiling.   I enjoyed her time on the school of nursing faculty.  I am glad she had 90 years to make her mark in the world.

It was my pleasure to meet Ms. Hacker when she was teaching at U of M.  She was a strong and charming woman, and I share her assessment that human beings are highly overrated.  Of course she was the rare exception to that rule.  My condolences to her family and friends.

Sylvia and I had lunch together frequently and I visited with her while she lived at Brandon Woods.  I enjoyed her sense of humor and also had many intellectual conversations with her about life, friendships, and family. I miss her........Loraine Lindenbaum

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.  Be comforted too with the promise from God at Psalms 37:9-11, 29 that will one day soon, become a reality.

I had lunch with Sylvia often through my friendship with her friend Shirley. What a fresh and vibrant personality and a warm being.

Sylvia was a mentor, role model, colleague and friend. It was always fun working with her. I will remember Sylvia for her warmth and insights delivered with wit and humor. My condolences to her family.

It is with the deepest sense of sadness that I found myself weeping as well as the greatest sense of joy upon reading Sylivia's obit.
I remember well Sylvia's 80 Birthday party where she shared some of her jokes and witticisms focused on age as well as wonderful times working and partying together in Ann Arbor.
I love you Sylvia...
My condolences to Randi, Juliana, Avry and other so blessed to have known her.

Tom Morson, Ann Arbor

Sylvia was a dear part of our family. Joining us for many holidays. We loved her zest and wonderful stories and jokes.  She was a warm and accepting woman who will live in our hearts always. Filled with warm memories, Miriam Shaw

Thank you, Dr Hacker for making the world a better place and for advaocating for knowledge of human sexuality.

My deepest condolences to her family. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dr. Hacker during my time on faculty at UM. She provided a breath of fresh air in the stuffy halls of academia. She gave lively talks to our midwifery and NP students on sexuality and provided a unique perspective that served to open many young, and not so young, minds to non-traditional views.  She was a smart and sassy spirit that will truly be missed!

Dear Randi, Juliana, Avry and ALL of us who were honored to have known her. For most of her friends you weren't just be-friended, you were adopted.

The tears and the laughter come almost simultaneously and the memories are so rich. So sorry for your loss.
Love and Peace, Pat Horton

Brought together by my daughter, a former student of Sylvia's, we became friends after my move to A2. We formed a Women's Group with others she brought along for great dinners , support, and jokes. We have missed her greatly since her decision to join Randi and Julianne in Lawrence. She will be long remembered by many for her joy of life.

Dear Randi and Juliana,
I have missed seeing Sylvia since she left Ann Arbor. I will miss seeing her all the more now. My sympathies to both of you on your loss. She was one of a kind!

My deepest sympathy to Sylvia's family. She was a bright light in my life. I have missed her witty and intelloigent observations since she left Ann Arbor. I loved being on a platform with her, but only if I could speak before she did! I loved her good heart, her desire to educate and not let people be ignorant, especially about sex, which she was honest enough to procalim was great fun. Smart and sassy, she helped people to feel better about themselves, and withstood her enemies with grace and charm and a great deal of courage. I never left her presence without feeling better. She is gone, but she is also very much with us in memory. She holds a special place in my heart and always will be there. Thank you, Sylvia.
       Kenneth W. Phifer
       Minister Emeritus
       First Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is a lovely, perfect obituary for Sylvia. I didn't know her well, it was back in the early 1980's. She was fascinating  and I loved to be in a group or at parties when she was there.  You knew instantly she was someone special and you wanted to know her and spend time with her. A great loss but great memories for everyone who knew her.  My deepest condolences!

Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful teacher and a most positive person. She did a number of trainings on Human Sexuality for teachers in the school system where I worked in the late 1980s. She was loved by all who heard her. She will be remembered for her significant contributions to understanding of human sexuality.

Sylvia was indeed a bright spark of life, a gem.  I remember her fondly from the time when we both worked in SPH.  I often think of her when I use a coffee mug she gave me as she cleaned out her office there in the mid-90's.  She was marvelous.

Sylvia was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. I will miss her so much.  Seeing her always made me smile.  She inspired the next generation of sexuality educators in Michigan and beyond and her legacy will live on the work and lives of many people. Randi-please let me know if there will be any services in the Ann Arbor area.  Take care.

Dear Randi, Avry and Family,
A friend just told me of your mother's passing. I loved your mother. She brought love and light through her humor and compassion; her great intelligence, to everyone she touched.  I am so sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing, and may all your memories bring you peace.

The death of Sylvia Hacker is a profound loss to me and to the society as a whole. Sylvia gave us a lot of perspective on timely issues like sexuality, what is "proper", how to prepare young people for sexuality in a perplexing and confusing world. I worked with Sylvia on several video projects, namely "Sexy Minutes with Dr. Sylvia Hacker" . . 
That program, a live 60 minute call-in program on Channel 17 in Ann Arbor, MI provided the audience with a lively and informative sessions on all issues concerning sexuality. I believe Sylvia has already located a prominent spot where she can observe and comment on the human condition.
Love, Barbara Clarke, RN, retired, Ann Arbor, MI

Randi and family: 

I was saddened to hear of Sylvia's passing, here at Brandon Woods.  She was a delightful, funny, compassionate woman.  We all loved her, and will miss her greatly.  
Jerry Yochim and family.

Thinking of you Randi and Juliana also.
With Love,
Fay

Randi-
I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  I remember the two of you from many years ago coaching you in gymnastics. My prayers are with your family, be well.

I met Sylvia Hacker as a Master's Student at University of Michigan. My memories of her are of intelligence, laughter, and great one liners. Some of the one liners I now use in my own lectures on sexuality and sexual health. Condolences to her family, the light she provided in the darkness of sexuality and sexual health will be missed.

As a nursing student at the University of MI, I attended a number of her lectures. She was a wonderful lecturer and a role model. RIP Ms. Hacker, you will be missed.

OBITUARY

Sylvia Hacker

October 19, 1922 – January 13, 2013

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services