Sylvia Jean (Sanchez) Estrada

Sylvia Jean (Sanchez) Estrada, wonderful Mother, Grandmother, and inspiring Teacher, was born on September 18, 1940, in Duncan, OK. She attended school in Duncan where she graduated in May 1968. In 1953, she rode the Queen Mary to Southampton England with her grandmother: an amazing trip for a child back then! Immediately after high school, Sylvia enrolled in Central State University where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and graduated in 1967 with a Sociology degree.

In 1959, Sylvia met love of her life in Oklahoma City: Matthew Estrada. The two dated for several years before marrying in 1964. After her husband's passing on January 4, 1978, she took the responsibility of raising her two young daughters on her own. After obtaining her real estate license, she discovered selling real estate was not her passion. Instead, she obtained her teaching certificate in 1979 and graduated in May 1983 from Central State University with her Masters in Education. Sylvia taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Myers Elementary in Yukon, OK from 1979-1982. She then taught 7th grade Math at Independence Middle School in Yukon from 1982-2005, where she retired after 26 years of teaching public school.

During her middle school teaching years, Sylvia was known as the "Garfield lady" for her love of all things Garfield. Her classroom was covered in Garfield posters, balloons, and many, many other Garfield memorabilia. Students loved to find unique Garfield items to gift her. She was loved by so many students and lovingly called "Ms. E." Sylvia was awarded Independence Middle School Teacher of the Year for the school year 1999-2000.

After leaving public school teaching, Sylvia taught Adult Math and College Math at Oklahoma City Community College from 2005-2006. She then taught these same subjects at OSU-OKC from 2006-2009. Following her teaching years, she participated as a member of the Oklahoma Retired Teachers and their monthly meetings. She was also active in a local book club for many years.

Sylvia was very active in her daughters' lives as they were growing up. She served as their Brownie and Junior Girl Scout leader and spent several summers with the troops at Girl Scout camp. She was known for always having a can of Lysol on hand for the latrine! She had a full life and enjoyed being present in her daughters' and grandchildren's lives.

Sylvia Estrada is preceded in death by her mother, Ellaline Reid Bryant; step-father, William Bryant; and grandmother, Harriet Reid. Sylvia leaves behind to cherish her memories: daughters, Lisa Lynnette Knatvold (Edward Knatvold), and Dana Denise Estrada; and grandchildren, Mattson Knatvold and Erik Knatvold (Lisa's boys).

Sylvia's life will be celebrated on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Ingram, Smith & Turner Mortuary with inurnment to follow at the Yukon Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Sylvia's honor to the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/donate).

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