Sylvia Gheno Sullivan was born the only child to the late Ercole and Emilia Gheno in Springfield on January 11,1944. She spent her youth in Springfield and attended local schools furthering her education at American International College graduating with a degree in education. Sylvia was a born educator with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the patience of a saint. Being empathic and having excellent interpersonal skills enabled her to become one of the finest first-grade teachers in the area and Phelps School in Agawam was proud to have her as a member of the staff for forty-four years. She was devoted to youth, and each child held a special place in her heart.

Sylvia wed her beloved husband Joseph Sullivan, and they spent forty-two years happily married until his passing in 2013. Joe and Sylvia shared a love for animals and an appreciation for music. Joe was an area musician for many years, and Sylvia had a love for dogs and unending compassion for any she found to be homeless. Together they shared their home with countless dogs, appreciating each one for their uniqueness and showering them with love. Slyvia was committed to dogs and met each need they had. She looked forward to the time she spent in Forest Park with her loyal companions and through these daily adventures she gained many friends from the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. These visits as well as her love for children inspired her to write a children's book featuring one of her dogs as well as Forest Park. The title "Prince of the Park" is most appropriate. Slyvia also loved horses, owning her own for thirty years and looking forward to enjoying the grace and equine elegance of them traveling to Saratoga each year. She had great appreciation and respect for the beauty of nature and spent countless hours tending to her gardens. Sylvia has a passion for life and was committed to the people and animals close to her and worked unconditionally to support them. Through her eyes each and every living being was worth every ounce of her efforts. Her memory will live on in each heart she touched.

Surviving Sylvia are her loving stepchildren, Joey Sullivan (Donna), Mary Ellen Raposa, Michael Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, James Sullivan, Ann Graham (Preston), Kerry-Ann Sullivan and nephew William Morse and her dear friend Paul Mendenhall.  She also leaves thirteen step grandchildren. Sylvia will be greatly missed by her extended family and friends especially the members of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department and her beloved sheltie, Monty. She was predeceased by her husband Joe.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday June 11,2026 at the Agawam Funeral Home from 9-10 A.M. concluding with a service at 10 A.M. Committal rites will follow at 11 A.M. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations in her name may be made to  Thomas J O'Connor Shelter 627 Cottage Street Springfield 01104.

Your Dog Is: Your Friend, your Partner, and your Defender.
You are: Their Life, their Love, and their Leader. They will be Yours, Faithful and True, to the last beat of their Heart.

You Owe it to them to be Worthy of such Devotion!!

Author Unkown