Sylvia Y. Sperow
Sylvia Yolande Sperow, 91, passed away on Feb. 13 at Harmony of Martinsburg.
Born March 16, 1931, Sylvia was the daughter of the late Rev. William G. Gehri and Yolande Malone Gehri of Shepherdstown. She married Charles B. Sperow of Martinsburg on July 26, 1950. Sylvia led a full and active life. She had a love for learning and a heart for helping others that included assisting with a pre-school as a young girl and volunteering with adult literacy and Meals on Wheels programs.
From 1967 to 1971 the family lived in Uganda, East Africa where Charlie taught at an agricultural college, and Sylvia taught several children, including four of her own, using a home correspondence program. In her 40’s she returned to college at WVU and earned a degree in library science. She worked as the librarian at Cheat Lake Library in Monongalia County for 12 years before retiring in 1991. She was an active member of St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown.
In addition to her passion for reading, Sylvia enjoyed watercolor painting, bird watching, pottery making and caring for the many flowers and plants around her house. She found her greatest joy in Charlie, her husband of 72 years, and her ever growing family.
She was preceded in death by her sister Virginia Solomon, her son Leslie Charles Sperow and her grandson, Nathan Ritchie. Sylvia will be lovingly missed by her husband, Charlie, and her five children: Dave (Debbi) Sperow of Martinsburg; Mark Sperow (Rhonda Reymond) of Morgantown; Kathy (Steve) Ritchie of Cary, NC; Marty Sperow of Manassas, VA; and Jean (Paul) Hilgers of Cross Plains, WI; her seven grandchildren: Lisa (Matthew) Wright, David Sperow, Thom (Ashley) Sperow, Sarah (Michael) Bailey, Ben Ritchie, Rachel Hilgers, and Shane Hilgers, and her nine great grandchildren: Charlie, Sophie, Ellie, Aleena, Lilah, Eli, Leo, Adelynn, and Ethan.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 25 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown. Visitation will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle (https://www.hospiceotp.org/) or to a library of your choice.
Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.