PORTLAND — It is with deep sorrow that we share with you, the passing of Sylvia Caroline (Leja) Lee Fanning, on February 20, 2024.

Sylvia was born in Hamtramck, Mich., on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1935. Sylvia was a first generation American, born of Austrian parents, which shared her love of the musical, The Sound of Music.

Sylvia was born to parents (Wladyslaw) Walter J. (Leja) Lee and Helen (Angelwicz) (Leja) Lee, whom both have predeceased her.

She completed her education with a Bachelor of Science degree, from The University of Miami, in 1957.

Sylvia began her career in the District of Columbia, Washington DC, in the field of Human Nutrition Research Division from 1957 until 1977.

In 1977, she and her family moved permanently to North Waterford. She continued her career with the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, as a health inspector, until retirement.

Sylvia’s love for family and nature can be found in her long- time passion with the Maine Mycological Association, in which she shared her enthusiasm and knowledge, as the editor of the MMA newsletter, from 1988 through 2001. Sylvia found happi- ness in her unique and diverse flowering and herb gardens, bird watching, and in watching football. She was a true New England fan. Her time spent with her family was a continuous joy as she instilled in all of us, a world worth investigating, in which its beauty surrounds us.

A piece of Sylvia’s heart shattered when her eldest son, Timothy Alan, passed suddenly away in 2009. We, as her family, find comfort in their reunion, in the heavens.

Surviving Sylvia, is Laurie Davis (Timothy Alan); and son Thomas Michael (Jacqueline) of North Waterford.

Her grandchildren, who affectionately know her as Mom-mom, Nicholas Ray (Jessie) of Hermon, Matthew James (Emma) of North Berwick, Ryan Thomas of Dillon, Mont., and her great-granddaughter, Kaleigh Victoria of Hermon.

When we think of Sylvia, we will always remember her as the wildflower Edelweiss. A strong mountain flower which thrives in the sun, spreading her seeds to forever flower and grow. A beautiful show of soft star-like petals, that bloom in early spring. Like the flower, that smiles upon us, endless and everlasting.

There will be a graveside service on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in North Waterford. Following the service, you are invited to a celebration of life, for a most remarkable woman, at the home of Tom and Jacque Fanning, located in North Waterford.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com