Services will be held Saturday, February 23, 2013, at Johnson’s Funeral, 17720 Monterey St., Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (408) 779-8456. A viewing will begin at 9:00 A.M., with services at 10:00 A.M. Reception will be held at a later date to honor Sylvia’s service to the community. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Live Oak Foundation in the name of Julie Hayes or Richard Hayes Scholarships. Mail checks to: Live Oak Foundation, P.O. Box 10, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Donations are tax deductible.
Sylvia Hamilton, longtime resident and nicknamed “The Mayor” of San Martin, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 16, 2013.
She is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother and grandfather, Mabel and Mose Johnson, mother and father, Lovice and Richard Hamilton, and her children, Julie and Richard Hayes.
She will be sadly missed by her cousin, Joe Wysong and the many friends who have had the honor of knowing her.
Sylvia was born May 25, 1942, in Del Ray Beach, FL and later moved to Bowie, TX where she was a drum majorette at Bowie High School and later graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in education and a minor in math. Sylvia taught math at Martin Murphy Middle School until her retirement and is remembered as a dedicated teacher who always worked hard for her students to understand and love math. She was a highly respected professional.
Sylvia was an avid country western dance fan and won the 2003 Country Dance World Championship. In 2004, Sylvia was named California’s 27th District “Woman of the Year.” Sylvia dedicated her life to the community of San Martin and helped to build the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA). She was President since its inception and the Alliance is now a vital watchdog organization.
In 2012 the SMNA awarded her “Member of the Year.” Sylvia was also a member of the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee and an activist on the Perchlorate Community Advisory Group. Anyone who ever met Sylvia never forgot her.
