Sylvia Marie (Thomas) Smith, successful chiropractor
Dr. Sylvia Marie (Thomas) Smith, 60, formerly of Milford, passed away at her home in Panama City, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. She was born in Heidelberg, Germany Jan. 22, 1959, to her parents, Renate K. and the late Karl J Thomas.
She attended Milford Sr. High School and went on to graduate from LaSalle University in 1981 with a bachelor of science with honors in chemistry and biology. She worked as a chemist at Dentsply in Milford before enrolling in the College of Chiropractic at Palmer University in Davenport, Iowa from where she graduated magna cum laude.
Sylvia and her husband, Dr. Michael Smith, grew a very successful practice, Waterside Chiropractic, in Panama City and the surrounding area. Sylvia was fiercely passionate about her profession, found great joy in her artwork, but her children were her greatest successes.
A celebration of life was held at her home four days before her death, where her friends came to celebrate and toast in fellowship.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Karl Thomas of Milford, and sister Diane Thomas Renzi of Lothian, Md.
She is survived by her husband, Michael Smith, her children, Michaela Smith and fiancé,Connor McKenzie, of Malibu, Calif., and Race Smith of Panama City; her mother, Renate K.Thomas of Milford; sister Cynthia Thomas of Milford; and brother Karl J. Thomas (Stacy) of Lewes; brother-in-law, Rico Renzi of Lothian; and three nephews, a niece and one grea-nephew. She is also survived by lifelong friend Leslie Walters Gossett who championed her through this journey.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Milford Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be to the St John the Apostle Catholic Church in Milford, to the Oktoberfest celebration, an event that her family founded that continues annually.
