Jennifer Sachiko Sylvester

Jennifer was taken too soon.  What a warrior!  Jennifer showed exceptional courage, fierce determination and incredible stamina as she fought esophageal cancer to the end.  Doctors and other medical personnel were astounded with Jennifer’s ability to overcome major hurdles and setbacks throughout her long painful battle.  With regrets Jennifer had to end her teaching career early to devote herself to her battle with cancer.

 

Jennifer was born and raised in Anchorage and lived her whole life here. She attended Anchorage School District elementary schools Campbell and Chinook. Jennifer finished her public-school life as a student attending Mears and graduating from Dimond High.

 

 Becoming a teacher was always Jennifer’s goal.  As an older sister she would be directing her younger brother, Warren, on how and what he should do, that only worked in the early years!  Playing with friends many times they would be “playing school.”  Guess who was the teacher?  As a teenager, Jennifer was known as a reliable babysitter.  Other gals developed different interests, but Jennifer just loved kids and babies.  Rarely did she turn down a chance to babysit for friends and neighbors.  That desire to work with kids only intensified as she knew her chance to become a teacher came within reach.

 

 After graduating from Dimond, Jennifer enrolled at UAA, excited to be on her way to becoming a teacher.   Those plans did not materialize as expected.  Jennifer did not loose sight of her dream of working with kids.  Switching gears, Jennifer worked at daycare centers for the next six years.  She was a hardworking, diversified employee doing any job asked of her.

 

That gnawing desire to be a teacher was a constant with Jennifer.  She enjoyed her work with kids at the daycare centers but was realizing she needed a teaching degree to make a living.  Jennifer returned to UAA in pursuit of that teaching degree.  With her dogged determination and help from an understanding professor she stuck with it.  Then one day in a class she and another gal were assigned as a team to complete a project.  Ann-Marie, her assigned partner informed Jennifer that they were going to get an ‘A’ on that project.  Working together those two gals realized that they were made for each other and they have been “besties” ever since. Jennifer and Ann-Marie received their teaching degrees May 2002.

 

The Anchorage School District now had two new excited, gung-ho teachers. As a new teacher in a district, one does not get to choose place and position.

Jennifer taught upper elementary grades a couple of years before taking a position at the primary grade levels.  She definitely found her niche with second graders.  As an exceptional second grade teacher, Jennifer tended to her students with kindness and caring. Many thought their teacher was “too tough” or “too strict,” however they knew Jennifer cared for them and was there to help them do their best and become a better person with her guidance. Over five hundred students’ lives were touched by Jennifer’s compassion and caring.  Those from her first years of teaching are just now becoming adults in today’s world…May they be filled with compassion and caring.

 

Jennifer’s teaching career at Kincaid developed many deep and long friendships with fellow teachers.  ‘The girls” had a good time. Jennifer’s boisterous laugh would echo down the hallways and during any TGIF celebrations.  Jennifer relied on her friends for support and collaboration professionally and in relaxation. Ann-Marie was not at the same school, but they spent many weekends planning and developing unique strategies.  Students were the benefactors of those plans.

 

But certainly there was something missing, various dates and meetings never provided “the one” that clicked.  A mutual friend introduced Brent into Jennifer’s life. Within a couple of years Jennifer married ‘the love of her life’ Brent Sylvester.  The family quickly expanded to three with the birth of Cullen the following year.  What a new adventure!  Jennifer was devoted to her two guys.  The love and care intensified.  Jennifer made sure her family had the best possible care and was always there for them.  She made sure Cullen was always doing his best.  Cullen is a shining example of the love and training his parents gave him.  Jennifer desperately wanted to see Cullen graduate from Dimond High, but that is not to be. 

 

Brent and Cullen are learning to live without Jennifer in their lives but are holding her in their hearts.  Jennifer’s parents, Noel and Marie Fujimura and her brother Warren are also holding her in their hearts.  Ann-Marie and many other close friends miss her dearly.  Jennifer has an extended family with many cousins, aunts and uncles who also mourn the passing of Jennifer.  Jennifer was adamant that we not be sad and somber, she said she wanted all to laugh and have fun, “I want to have a party!”  Following Jennifer’s wishes there will be no formal service, so gather some friends around, laugh a lot, have a good time and share memories of Jennifer.