Sylvia Louise Osman

Sylvia Louise Osman passed away peacefully in her home with family on March 19, 2023. She was born in Placerville, CA on August 3, 1926 to Gladys Easter (Ingraham) Austin and Lloyd Charles Austin (an eminent iris hybridizer). She was 96 years old. Sylvia is survived by her children and their spouses: Julia Ann Levinson and Eric Levinson, Eric Douglas Osman, Jeanette Rene Osman-Bravard and Russell Osman-Bravard, and sister Jewell DeLapp. She is also survived by her grandsons and grand-daughters-in law, Cory and Cara Meyer, Clinton Meyer and Sal Greenberger, and Watson Meyer. Sylvia was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Wesley Harris Osman in 1997, and her brother Norman Austin in 2015. Sylvia had a Masters Degree in Social Work and worked 22 years as a Social Worker for Sacramento County. She was also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Sylvia was deeply loved by her family and loved by all who knew her. She devoted her life to helping others. As residents of Sacramento, Sylvia and Wesley worked tirelessly for the causes of peace and justice. Together they shared a mission to champion the rights of the forgotten and the under-served, and a vision of an America that valued and respected all of its citizens. Wesley was a pastor for the United Methodist Church and they remained involved with the church after his retirement. Sylvia and Wes participated in many marches for peace, justice and civil rights –sometimes with their children in-tow. The plight of black America was deeply troubling to them, and their support and admiration for the Reverend Martin Luther King’s movement was immense. They supported Cesar Chavez’s United Farm Workers movement and firmly stood against the Vietnam War and the production of nuclear arms. Additionally, they were members of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Sacramento Religious Community for Peace. They supported charities such as Habitat for Humanity, and Sylvia was a member of Grandmother’s for Peace. Sylvia and Wes endlessly wrote letters and otherwise rallied congress for passage of legislation that furthered their dream. After their retirement, Sylvia and Wes travelled to Nicaragua in the 1980’s to provide assistance to farmers impacted by civil war—in the midst of the Iran-Contra affair. And, both Sylvia and Wes volunteered as family counselors through the South Sacramento Ecumenical Parish. Alongside their religious and social beliefs, Sylvia and Wes were strong supporters of scientific education and research. This led to Sylvia’s involvement with the Sacramento Ions. Additionally, Sylvia had a personal quest for deeper understanding of herself and a desire to reach a spiritual place of centeredness and inner peace. Over the years she practiced Transcendental Meditation and Psychosynthesis, and she became a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner. After Wes’ death in 1997, Sylvia continued her involvement with numerous groups and organizations. In the year 2000 Sylvia moved to Grass Valley to help with and live closer to her grandsons. Sylvia maintained a large iris garden at her Grass Valley home. It was filled with iris that her father, Lloyd Austin hybridized. In May her yard was filled with blooms and was the attraction of the neighborhood. She loved the outdoors and was an avid tree-lover. In addition to helping with her grandsons, Sylvia continued her quest for political, social, and personal change. She volunteered for Hospitality House of Grass Valley, attended the Grass Valley Friends Meetings, and practiced daily meditation. Additionally, she was a member of the local chapter of Gather the Women and attended Non-Violent Communication classes. She remained socially active into her early 90’s, touching many people in the Sacramento and Grass Valley communities. Sylvia was self-less to a fault, always looking to consider the needs of others above her own. Every day Sylvia lived by values she so firmly believed in. She touched everyone she knew and served as a spiritual and social model to others. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life will be held at the Grass Valley Methodist Church on July 1, 2023. For more information call: 530-210-8190 or 916-764-7967. In lieu of flowers, we urge that you make a gift in her name to one of the following organizations: • Hospitality House of Grass Valley • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) • Southern Poverty Law Center • United Farm Workers We encourage you to share your thoughts, comments and photos on this forum.

Sylvia Louise Osman

August 3, 1926 - March 19, 2023