Sylvia J Mullen

She never met a stranger who did not become a friend. Born August 17, 1935, in Tampa, Florida, Sylvia Jo Mullen (Tarantino), grew up in a large extended family under the palm trees and sunshine of Florida. She spent her formative years at the Academy of The Holy Names, where she claimed to be the undisputed Yo-Yo Champion along with many other accolades, activities, and mischief. Sylvia went on to attend and succeed at Stephens College, where she served as Student Body President and was voted Four-Fold Girl. She also attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where she was a cheerleader and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

While Sylvia’s dreams of stardom on the stage and screen were thwarted, she found much success with her sparkling personality in retail sales at Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and her own dress shop, The Esplanade in Tampa. Sylvia’s home is where she shined cooking her famous Spaghetti and Meatballs for celebrations and Sunday dinners. Her home always smelled of lemon and lavender and, Sylvia loved her garden and birds always making it a beautiful and inviting space.

She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Peter Tarantino and her mother, Florence Mary Tarantino Giacona, her brother Joseph Peter Tarantino, Jr. (Diane Schiller), and her granddaughter Parker Bean Clements. Sylvia is survived by her sister Cynthia Rose Cadrecha (Robert Nelson Cadrecha), son Michael Patrick Mullen (Lorre Heyes Mullen), daughters Mary Mullen-Coleman, Patricia Tilton (Jarrett Tilton) and her six grandchildren Lauren Coleman - Clements (Justin), Michael, Caroline, Donald, Mackenzie and Katherine, and her great-granddaughter Sunnie Ann.

Sylvia will be missed by her cousins, nieces, and nephews and the many friends she made throughout her life. Goodbye to our beloved “Shuggie.”

A celebration of life is planned for early November in Tampa.