Sylvia Lawrence Greeley, Colorado Obituary

Sylvia Lawrence

Sylvia Kay Lawrence was a Colorado native, born on July 19th, 1935 in Greeley, CO and was very proud of her heritage. Not long after she was born, her parents, Dewayne and Farrie Campbell Peterson, moved to a rural farm in the East part of Nunn, CO where Sylvia spent the earlier years of her life. When Sylvia was six years old she lost her father to a terrible car accident. Sylvia went to Nunn High School and graduated in 1953. She became valedictorian and was prom queen of her class. At Nunn H.S she was also very involved with Girl Scouts, as well as teaching accordion lessons. Adolf Lesser had taken Sylvia under his wing to help her to become a successful accordion teacher. During her time at Nunn H.S., Sylvia became an expert in photography while working at a camera store. After high school, she attended Greeley College for 2 years in CSCE Business. In 1955 she married William Jon Lawrence and had Shelley Kay Arnstad, her daughter. In 1962 they moved to Fort Collins, CO. Her famous saying for leaving Nunn was “I am from Nunn, which had none, so I left Nunn”. Sylvia got divorced in 1969, and never remarried. She had many experiences and cherished memories with John Filippelli, who was the love of her life. Sylvia worked at the Greyhound Dog track for over 30 year, where she was the racing and gambling coordinator for the state of Colorado. She was an avid animal lover, especially greyhounds, and loved spending her time at the track. Sylvia’s interests in life included being a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for 52 years, The Red Hat Association, fast cars and taking care of her 67 Corvette, which was her pride and joy. She loved spoiling her grandchildren, dancing, and taking care of animals. Sylvia loved to travel and visited all 50 states, including many countries over seas. In Colorado Springs, she was an active member of Elks Lodge 309/ Eagles 3210. Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Shelley Arnstad of Loveland, CO; grandchildren, Amy (Keith) Collard of Louisville, KY, Kristan (Zach) Bliven of Greeley, Ryan (Sarah) Arnstad) of Loveland; great grandchildren, Kayden, Ava, and Katarina Collard, Autumn, Jackson, and Willow Bliven and Xena Arnstad. She was preceded in death by her mother, Farrie Giffin; step father, Murray Giffin; sister, Shirley Peterson; and John Filippelli. Visitation will be 10-11:00a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017 followed by Funeral Service at 11:00a.m.. both at Adamson Chapel. Interment will follow at Linn Grove Cemetery.
July 19, 1935 - October 20, 201707/19/193510/20/2017
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Sylvia Kay Lawrence was a Colorado native, born on July 19th, 1935 in Greeley, CO and was very proud of her heritage. Not long after she was born, her parents, Dewayne and Farrie Campbell Peterson, moved to a rural farm in the East part of Nunn, CO where Sylvia spent the earlier years of her life. When Sylvia was six years old she lost her father to a terrible car accident. Sylvia went to Nunn High School and graduated in 1953. She became valedictorian and was prom queen of her class. At Nunn H.S she was also very involved with Girl Scouts, as well as teaching accordion lessons. Adolf Lesser had taken Sylvia under his wing to help her to become a successful accordion teacher. During her time at Nunn H.S., Sylvia became an expert in photography while working at a camera store. After high school, she attended Greeley College for 2 years in CSCE Business. In 1955 she married William Jon Lawrence and had Shelley Kay Arnstad, her daughter. In 1962 they moved to Fort Collins, CO. Her famous saying for leaving Nunn was “I am from Nunn, which had none, so I left Nunn”. Sylvia got divorced in 1969, and never remarried. She had many experiences and cherished memories with John Filippelli, who was the love of her life. Sylvia worked at the Greyhound Dog track for over 30 year, where she was the racing and gambling coordinator for the state of Colorado. She was an avid animal lover, especially greyhounds, and loved spending her time at the track. Sylvia’s interests in life included being a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for 52 years, The Red Hat Association, fast cars and taking care of her 67 Corvette, which was her pride and joy. She loved spoiling her grandchildren, dancing, and taking care of animals. Sylvia loved to travel and visited all 50 states, including many countries over seas. In Colorado Springs, she was an active member of Elks Lodge 309/ Eagles 3210. Sylvia is survived by her daughter, Shelley Arnstad of Loveland, CO; grandchildren, Amy (Keith) Collard of Louisville, KY, Kristan (Zach) Bliven of Greeley, Ryan (Sarah) Arnstad) of Loveland; great grandchildren, Kayden, Ava, and Katarina Collard, Autumn, Jackson, and Willow Bliven and Xena Arnstad. She was preceded in death by her mother, Farrie Giffin; step father, Murray Giffin; sister, Shirley Peterson; and John Filippelli. Visitation will be 10-11:00a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017 followed by Funeral Service at 11:00a.m.. both at Adamson Chapel. Interment will follow at Linn Grove Cemetery.

To plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Lawrence, please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Oct
26
First Visitation
Thursday, October 26 2017
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Adamson Chapel
2000 47th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80634
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
Oct
26
Service
Thursday, October 26 2017
11:00 AM
Adamson Chapel
2000 47th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80634
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail