Sylvia Jeanine Patricia Daniele Thompson

Sylvia found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved playing Pokémon Go with her fiancé and many members of the community, and she enjoyed spending quiet evenings watching true crime documentaries with her daughter. Many may know her as the "German lady" from Food Lion, where she was a cashier before her illness. Her gentle spirit, curiosity, and playful nature will be dearly missed.

She was predeceased by her son, Stephen Tutay, and her mother, Anneliese Armstrong. She is survived by her fiancé, Eric Sterba; her daughter, Shannon Whistler; her granddaughter, Oliva Whistler; her stepfather, Donald Armstrong; and her aunt, Franziska Koenig. Sylvia’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Craven County Hospice

Craven County Health Department Foundation

P.O. Drawer 12610

New Bern, NC 28561

(Make checks payable to: Craven County Health Department Foundation).

A graveside service will be held 2:00pm Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve Sylvia's family.