The Life of Sylvia Ruth Buckholz

Sylvia Ruth (Hemminger) Buckholz, most lovingly known as Grandma Syl, was called home on

November 13, 2022.

She was born April 16, 1937, in Lorain, Ohio, to Evelyn (Altmeyer) and William Hemminger.

She lived in Henrietta Township in an old schoolhouse for 25 years, and the last 8 years in the Pioneer Ridge Community in North Ridgeville.

Sylvia could light up a room with her smile since her days at Lorain High School, Class A of 1955, and all through her years as an RN at Lorain Community Hospital. She could brighten anyone’s day with a joke and her warm, compassionate care. She was a favorite with patients and doctors alike, from her years in Oncology, to Short Stay Surgery, to Bed Control. After her career at the hospital, she volunteered at the food bank and with hospice. Even after her retirement at age 68, she kept her relationships with all the friends she made at the hospital and continued sharing her stories and making everyone laugh.

Sylvia graduated from Lorain County Community College in 1978, at the age of 41, with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. She was an Oncology Certified Nurse when chemotherapy was in its earliest stages. In order to maintain the distinguished certification, she had to complete numerous continuing education hours on the drugs, their administration and the science behind their usage. After several years in Oncology, she transferred to Short Stay Surgery where she also became certified in that specialty. Sylvia was very proud of her education and challenging career path.

Sylvia loved her family, and they loved her. She especially loved spending birthday weekends with each of her grandchildren when they were younger. She had a magic about her that made each child feel special and cherished, and they will carry that with them forever. She was a strong, independent woman, ahead of her time, and there is still so much more we have to learn from her.

She is survived by her sister, Ella Poplar; 4 children, Faith (James) Widders, Jeff (Melissa Oetjen) Buckholz, Dawn (Ray) Klingshirn, and Melanie (Robbie Akes) Shulsky; 9 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, and her first grandson Derek Wlodarsky.

A life celebration was held October 15, 2022, where Sylvia was toasted, celebrated, and loved.

The family will hold a private graveside service to put her to rest.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hospice of the Western Reserve or cancer organization of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com