Sylvia Marie Staples

Sylvia Marie Staples (DeZanet), surrounded by family, returned to her Heavenly Father February 9, 2025 due to complications of age. The eldest of three daughters of Tranquil and Anna DeZanet, Sylvia was born September 30, 1935 in the family farmhouse in Export, PA.

Sylvia was a devoted, kind, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who had a strong belief in God. Her lifetime loves included her family, reading, poetry, politics, cooking, entertaining, and travel. Sylvia was the valedictorian of the Franklin High School class of 1953 and went on to graduate from the Robert Morris School in Pittsburgh. A talented business woman, she spent her career working to eliminate poverty. After more than thirty-five years, she retired from the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) of Clark County as the Deputy Director of the agency. Her work at EOB focused on developing numerous programs to help those living in poverty including senior daycare, transportation, senior centers, and head start programs. 

Sylvia was a first generation Italian American and was proud of her Italian heritage. Along with her growing up years in Pennsylvania, she lived in Reno NV, 49 years in Las Vegas, NV, and the last 12 years in Sandy, UT.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Bill Staples, sister Janice DeZanet, stepdaughter Kim Watson, stepson Frank Leon, and her dear friend John Schirack. She is survived by her sister Rene Gerdes, son Joe Staples (Robyn), stepdaughter Janet Verheide, and a large posterity of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sylvia’s family would like to thank the caregivers at Canyon Hospice and Cedarwood at Sandy for the excellent care they provided her.

A memorial for Sylvia will be held at Cedarwood Assisted Living, 10970 South 700 East, Sandy Utah, Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10 a.m. Thoughts and memories of Sylvia can be emailed to her son at jastaples21@gmail.com