Sylvia Grasser, 79, of Coupeville, Wash., gained her wings and left this earth on Aug. 10, 2021. She took her last breath with her husband and sister by her side.
Sylvia was born on Feb. 11, 1942 at Polly Harpole’s Maternity Home in Coupeville to Richard and Mary Coates. She graduated from Coupeville High School in 1960. After graduation, she moved to Seattle to become a telephone operator.
To be with the love of her life, William Grasser, she moved back to Coupeville and they married Nov. 25, 1960 at Coupeville Methodist Church. She remained living in Coupeville all of her life, living most of it in the house her grandfather built.
Sylvia worked for a time at Prairie Center, raised her four kids and then joined Coupeville School District as a school bus driver and drove for the district until she retired.
Sylvia had a competitive spirit and was a lover of all games. She had a love for bridge, the casino, online games and playing games with her grandkids. She loved high school sports and driving the school bus gave her the opportunity to watch her grandkids play when the games were off the island. A fan of the Mariners, she loved to watch them play at the stadium or on TV. She was passionate about family genealogy and her family, never missing a chance to celebrate or support her grandchildren.
Sylvia is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, William (Bill) Grasser; children Marie Bagby (Ron Bagby), Michele Fournier and Dean Grasser (Sherra Grasser); sisters Gladys Snyder and Kathryn Meyer (David Meyer); brother Vernon Coates (Patty Coates); grandchildren April Ellsworth, Ashley Heilig (Alex Heilig), Michael Bagby, Jason Bagby (Ashley Sweet), Craig Fournier, Crystal Hurley (Devin Hurley), Tyler Grasser, Emmy Grasser, Erika Sather and Lance Sather; great grandchildren Mia Heilig, Noah Sather and Savannah Hurley. She is also survived by her extended family of numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her daughter Marlene Grasser-Everett, who gained her wings in 2015, sister Carol Looke in 1964, father Richard Coates in 1948 and mother Mary Coates in 1996.
Viewing is 1-1:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home, 1811 N.E. 16th Ave #A, Oak Harbor, WA, followed by a graveside service for family and extended family at 2:30p.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Sylvia’s Celebration of Life is being planned and will be held at a later date.
