Jeanette Elaine Sykes

Jeanette Elaine Sykes, 73, peacefully passed away at her home in New Port Richey, Florida on April 7, 2024. She was a beloved wife, mother, nana, and friend and will be missed terribly by them all. 

Nana was born on March 7, 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Otis Glenn Long and Mildred Mary Lee. She proudly graduated from Excelsior High School in Norwalk, California, studied respiratory therapy and nursing before practicing as a CNA for many years, and later served in the Army National Guard with dignity. On November 19, 1970, during this time, she married the love of her life, Edwin Lemar Sykes, and exactly one year later, their love was made eternal in the Los Angeles Temple.

Nana lived her life to the fullest. She was passionate about crafting and was involved in many card groups. She sent and received handmade cards worldwide for a variety of fun reasons and was a member of the Angel Babies Foundation, in which she generously made and donated countless hats, blankets, and clothes to mothers who had lost their infants. Furthermore, nana found joy in spending time with her family, playing bingo, meeting new people, and going out to restaurants.

Nana was a faithful member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. She participated in the young women’s organization and was always looking for new ways to make a positive impact on their lives and bring a smile to their faces. 

Nana is the mother of five wonderful children: LilaRae (Chad) Hamblin, Anthony (Heather) Sykes, Michael (Carina) Sykes, Steven (Cathy) Sykes, and Glenn (Melissa) Sykes. She is survived by them, her loving husband, 16 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Calvin (Butch) Long, and aunt, Lila Wederup. We take comfort in knowing that they are there to greet her at the gates of heaven.

We love our nana dearly and will forever hold her in our hearts and minds. She will be remembered for her thoughtful and caring actions towards others and the bright, vibrant love she held for her friends and family. She ensured that we knew it too. She celebrated our achievements, encouraged us when we were down, and never failed to put a smile on our faces with her infectious laugh. Even as nana grew sick in her last few years of life, this never changed.

Nana, we want you to know that we love you, we miss you, and we think and speak of you and your amazing life often. We always will. We will be okay, and we will never forget you. Your presence in our life can never be replaced and was a true gift. We hope your eternal life is everything you dreamed of, and we can’t wait to see you again.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse. Friends are welcome to visit with family on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Thursday from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch Cemetery with Military Honors Accorded.