Sylvia Fresia Bravo Viancos

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to the Matriarch of our family. Sylvia Fresia Bravo Viancos who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, July 26, at 90 years young. She leaves behind a family of 25 including 7 great grandchildren in the U.S. She will be missed by her extended family and many friends in Chile and abroad.

Sylvia also leaves behind a great legacy fueled by love and adventure. She married the love of her life, Jaime G. Viancos, M.D., on March 23, 1957, a marriage that lasted until his passing on January 3rd of this year. Born in Santiago, Chile on January 18, 1935, she grew up in a loving family saddened by the loss of her younger brother, Benjamin, in an accident as a child. She attended Santiago College and started her family soon after graduation. Her sense of adventure served her well when she and Jaime moved to Houston, Texas, from 1964 to 1966 as Jaime pursued a medical fellowship. They returned to Santiago but soon made plans to immigrate to Houston permanently in 1970. This adventure led to forming lasting friendships with so many in the medical, tennis and expat Chilean communities. She was an active member of the “Yellow Roses”, a ladies travel group. Over the years, she and Jaime would vacation with lifelong friends on ski trips and overseas travel visiting some of the world’s most beautiful and interesting sites. She was an avid attendee of her children’s activities and that continued with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was athletic and competitive and a passionate fan. She could be heard yelling encouragement or the occasional sound of consternation when things were not going well for her side. If she had a fault, it was that she was a “worrier” though this made her the person who was always reaching out to others to make sure all is well. Friends and family alike could count on an early morning call from her as she was just checking in to see how things were going.

She is survived by her children, Marie Walton (David), Jaime E. Viancos (Tammi), Fred Viancos (Jody), grandchildren, Katherine Chalkley (Jeff), Melissa Pasche (Clint), Matthew Walton (Ashley), Gabriela Viancos Richie (Daniel), Cooper Viancos (Kayla), Lucas Viancos, Avery Viancos, and great grandchildren, Olivia Chalkley, Clara Pasche, Emma Pasche, Benjamin Pasche, Edward Walton, Leo Walton, and Elena Walton. She also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law group in Chile and high school classmates group.

A celebration of life will take place at Settegast Kopf At Sugar Creek on August 11, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Catered Reception. In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make a donation to one of her favorite charities: Casa de Esperanza or The Alzheimer Research Foundation.