Sylvia Favila

Sylvia Favila passed on September 6, 2022, at the University of Maryland Baltimore-Washington Medical Center. She lived a rich and full life, and died peacefully with her daughters by her side. She was 87.

Sylvia was born in Frostburg, Maryland, the eldest child of Clifton Shirey and Mary Shirey Keiling. She earned a degree from Beall High School, and immediately after graduation she secured a top security clearance job at the Pentagon. Later jobs included work with Maryland’s Board of Education and Emergency Management Agency. She worked every possible election as a Democrat in Anne Arundel County.

Sylvia was fearless when it came to travel, setting foot in Italy, England, France, Scotland, Canada, crossing the United States twice, working her way up and down both east and west coasts, and swimming in Hawaii’s warm waters.

Sylvia loved good food, original art, live music, books in print, books on tape, and a wide array of movies. Her love of literature and film shaped both of her daughters’ careers.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim Favila, and her sister Mary Virginia Connelly and husband Richard Connelly. She is survived by her daughter Linda Favila and partner Anson Downes, her second daughter Marina Favila, her brother Bruce Shirey and wife Mary Shirey, her nieces Carol Church, Lesa Hughes, and Gina Wilson, and her nephews Richard Connelly, Jr., Bradley Shirey, and Norberto Favila.

Family and friends gather to celebrate her life at the Durst Funeral Home, in Frostburg, Maryland on Tuesday, September 13th, from 2:30 to 3 pm. Services will follow at 3pm with Chris Skidmore as Celebrant.