Sylvia Jean Hamilton

Sylvia Hamilton
September 17, 1936 – May 7, 2022

Sylvia Jean (Kain) Hamilton was born in Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, to Francis (Mac) Kain and Elsie Kain, and her elder sister Maureen, on September 17, 1936.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years Bill Hamilton; her children Garvin Hamilton, Doug Hamilton, and Kari (Hamilton) DuVall; her grandchildren Isaac and Emma (Hamilton) Shepersky, and Aaron DuVall; and her great-grandchildren Astra Hamilton, and Daniel DuVall.

She grew up in Beaverton, Oregon where her neighbor gave Sylvia her first horse. She rode horses throughout the Filbert Farms and strawberry and watermelon fields. She went to Oregon State where she was on the first dancing rally in the nation, performing at the Rose Bowl and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She met her husband Bill from Grants Pass at a softball game between her freshman and sophomore year. They married June 8, 1957, and moved to Grants Pass in 1958, where they would have and raise all three of their children.

Sylvia was involved in the Active Club, Rotary Ann, Commissioner on Children and Families for Josephine County, PEO, and helped create Hannah’s Home. She was an active horsewoman, organizing Wild Woman rides all over the state through the Bush Riders. She enjoyed cutting cattle and bison, and spending time with all of her dogs. She was an incredible advocate for children, as a CASA, and spoke to the House and Congress of Oregon for funding of CASA and children’s rights.

She was an avid bridge player with her same group for over 50 years. She was an incredible water and snow skier, tennis player, racquetball player, pickleball player, and whitewater rafter. She loved planting and gardening with a passion, along with doing woodwork with her husband.

Sylvia was an amazing mother. Always volunteering at her kid’s schools. She NEVER missed a basketball game, track meet or horse event that her children participated in.

She was a devout Christian and never doubted that one day she would return back to God, and all her family, friends and animals that passed before her.

She will be terribly missed, but never forgotten until we all meet again.

A celebration of life will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Hamilton property, 1815 W. Jones Creek Road, Grants Pass.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Bristol Hospice in her name.