Sylvia Thorne Donica, 90

Sylvia Donica quietly and calmly left this life May 9, 2012, at the home of her daughter in Mendocino County.

She is survived by her four children, Jeff, Brad and Andy Thorne and Marbry Sipila; her 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her first husband of 59 years, George Thorne; her second husband, Carl Donica; and grandchildren Stacey Thorne and Joshua Shunk.

Sylvia was born in Berkeley March 3, 1922, and after graduating from high school joined the Navy and was a recruiter during WWII. She and her new husband, George, attended and graduated from UC Berkeley.

Sylvia was not only a loving mother and wife, but also a dedicated schoolteacher who loved her kindergarten and third-grade students. She loved traveling, learning and her retirement years at Lake Almanor.

Memorial services will be held later this summer on July 9 at 4 p.m. at the Chester United Methodist Church.