Sylvia Vallejo passed away on January 24, 2017 at 2 a.m., in Valencia, CA.

She was born on December 26, 1942 in Guayaquil, Ecuador as Sylvia Katuska Suarez Malo. Welcoming their beautiful daughter were her parents, Alberto and Rosa Suarez, who noted that Sylvia had the beauty and grace of her mother and complexion of her father. She grew up with her eight siblings: Gaston, Gonzalo, Sonia, Miriam, Boris, Zuska, Alberto, and Gioconda. Sylvia had a very close relationship with her immediate family and her many cousins. She was always known as the angel of the family and made her parents very proud. She attended Catholic schools, Unidad Educativa María Auxiliadora and Colegio La Inmaculada, and graduated in 1961 with a title in accounting and administrative services.

While visiting her sister in Los Angeles, she met and fell in love with Pedro Vallejo IX. On August 25, 1968, 15 days after meeting, the two were married. They lived together in North Hollywood and soon after had their first child, Guisla Sylvia. Over the next ten years, Sylvia and Pedro celebrated the arrival of five more children into their family: Osric Peter, Cynthia Zorana, Alvin Pierre, Alina Priscilla, and Pedro Leonidas X. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, she was an active volunteer at her church and her children's school communities. She drove a Mazda MPV, spending hours dropping off and picking up her kids from school and team practices. Yet she still made time for her religious community, making new life-long friends and gaining adoration from people with which she became acquainted with. When her oldest children were teenagers, she worked with her husband in the drapery industry. She also volunteered accounting services for non-profit organizations and spent her time helping many others in Southern California and Ecuador.

Over time, her children found their own significant others, all of whom came to love and admire Sylvia. Her grandchildren include: Anthony, Daniel, Adrian, Tristan, Nicholas, Caelia, Isabella, Pedro XI, and Savanna. Some of her favorite things to do were: chatting on the phone with her siblings, playing Telefunken, dancing, and taking care of her grandchildren. She always worried about others and placed their needs above her own. Petrona, a life-long friend, treasured Sylvia and spent a majority of the last 36 years with her. She constantly had visitors, who came from afar to see her. Sylvia was also extremely organized. She had to-do lists, always planned ahead, and never forgot a birthday or an important date.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2000. After treatments, the cancer was in remission before it unexpectedly returned in 2007. Her oncologist estimated she would only live another year or two. However, through her unwavering strength, endurance, and faith, she fought the cancer and kept it at bay for almost a decade. She participated in the Santa Clarita Cancer Relay for Life for ten years, providing inspiration to many.

She spent her last birthday and holidays with close friends and family, who laughed and enjoyed time with her throughout. She will be remembered by countless individuals that loved her completely. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, all of her children and grandchildren, and most of her siblings. She passed away in her home surrounded by loving family members as she journeyed toward eternal life in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to the ACS Relay for Life [here].

Rosary: Thursday, February 9, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Memorial Service: Thursday, February 9, 11 a.m. to noon

    Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church | 23225 Lyons Ave., Newhall, CA 91321

Cemetery Committal: Thursday, February 9, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    San Fernando Mission Cemetery | 11160 Stranwood Ave., Mission Hills, CA 91345