Sylvia (Guariglia) Chico, 87, of Morgantown, passed away on April 7, 2022, at home, surround by family.
Sylvia was born in Morgantown to the late Giuseppe and Angelina Feo Guariglia on Oct. 31, 1934. She graduated from St. Francis High School and went on to earn a degree from the Morgantown Business College. She worked at Morgan Shirt Factory, then got a job at Chico Dairy Company, which led to meeting the love of her life, Charlie. Later in life, she worked at Chestnut Ridge Hospital, where she made life-long friends.
She enjoyed cooking and baking for families and friends. She spent many years as one of the Kitchen Angels at St. John’s University Parish in Morgantown.
She received the Jefferson Award for Community Service from WDTV, partially from her 53 years as a volunteer for Mental Health America for Monongalia, Marion and Preston Counties. She organized Operation Santa Claus for patients at what is now known as Sharpe Hospital, fundraising money and gathering gifts so each patient had a present.
Sylvia is survived by her husband of 57 years, Charlie; her daughter, Lisa Hanselman and husband Mark, of Morgantown; son, Charlie Chico and wife Jennifer, of Atlanta; and son, Warren and wife Amy, of Charleston, S.C.; grandsons, David Armand Hanselman, Noah Edward Hanselman and Daniel Mark Hanselman, all of Morgantown, and Anthony Robert Chico and Alexander Charles Chico, of Atlanta; granddaughters, Amelia Lane Chico and Julia Anne Chico, of Charleston, S.C.; and Michelle Snyder, of Morgantown, whom she thought of as a daughter and great friend. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved so much.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Ann “Nina” Mancini; brother, Peter Guariglia and sister-in-law, Mary Guariglia; and brother, Armando “Mondy” Guariglia and sister-in-law Lucy Guariglia.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to WVU Family Medicine Staff, especially, Dr. Carl Shrader for the past few months and Dr. Joseph Watson for the last few years. Sylvia trusted Dr. Watson and loved him, not only as her doctor, but also a member of the family. Also, a special thank you to the hospice nurse Kelli Geiger and aid Trish Bray. They treated Sylvia well and always brought a smile to her face when they arrived.
Friends and family will be received at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Star City, 3346 University Ave., from noon-4 p.m. on Monday, April 11, and again from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday April 12. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Fr. Patsy Iaquinta and Fr. William Matheny concelebrants. Burial will follow at Lawnwood Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
