Sylvia P. Sturges, 90, of Ridgefield died peacefully on December 24, 2023. She was the loving, and beloved, wife of the late John N. Sturges.
Sylvia was born in Ridgefield, CT on June 26, 1933, the daughter of the late Joseph and Effie (Washburn) Pinchbeck. A lifelong Ridgefield resident, Sylvia was a floral designer for Pinchbeck Nursery, a historic Ridgefield nursery opened in 1903 by her grandfather, William Pinchbeck, at Pinchbeck Farm.
Sylvia studied at New Canaan Country Day School and later graduated from The Knox School in Cooperstown, New York
A true lady, Sylvia was kind-hearted and radiated and inner beauty that was felt by all who knew her. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend who loved life and nature. So generous and thoughtful to everyone, you would always see her with a plate of homemade cookies, a beautifully arranged bouquet from her garden, eggs from her chickens, or a handmade card with one of her beautiful drawings of birds, especially bluebirds, or flowers in the mail with kind words. Sylvia loved entertaining family and friends on her porch, in the garden where she was married, where she shared birdsong, a glass of iced tea, a bowl of berries, and her love of Ridgefield and its people with her many friends.
She loved her family and adored her grandchildren. On many occasions she would show up with her horse and buggy ready to give the children rides down the lane. A lover of all kinds of animals especially horses, she shared this love and knowledge of animals with everyone, and often told the story of having to give up her heard of forty sheep, when she married John. She enjoyed photography and was honored to share her photographs on the covers of the Ridgefield Continuing Education Program and was a very talented artist.
Sylvia is survived by her sons James Sturges (Cynthia) and Donald Sturges (Tina). She is also survived by her grandchildren Sarah Kuehn Schroder (Harrison), Christopher Sturges (Maria), Thomas Sturges (Kelleigh), and Michael Sturges (Lauren). She is also survived by her great grandchildren Brandon Schafer; Will and Simon Schroder; Charles, Daniel, Bodie and James Sturges; and sisters-in-laws Marie and Dale Pinchbeck along with many extended family members.
In addition to her husband, Sylvia was predeceased by her daughter Charlene Kuehn, granddaughter Kristina Kuehn, sister-in-law Ethelyn and her brothers Joseph, John, and Jay Pinchbeck.
A memorial service in celebration of Sylvia's life will take place on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church; 103 Main Street, Ridgefield.