Mrs. Sylvia Medina Shultz

January 1, 1952 - February 20, 2019

Sylvia was born January 1, 1952 in Brooklyn, NY where she lived until moving to Maryland in 1979. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on September 15, 1984. Sylvia moved to North Carolina in 1992 where she lived until her passing on February 20, 2019. Sylvia was preceded in death by Agustin Medina (father), Narcisa Medina (mother), André Medina (brother), and Carlos Juan Medina (brother). She is survived by her husband Charles Shultz, Melissa Milka Astacio Wilson (daughter) & Anthony Wilson (husband), Agustin Astacio (son) and family, Lionel Medina (brother) & Nydia Medina (wife) who live in New York, Milka Medina Ramirez (sister) & William Ramirez (husband) who live in Florida, Nancy Medina Irizarry (sister) & Luis Irizarry (husband) who live in Florida, Nylda Medina-Cucinella (sister) & Frank Cucinella (husband) who live in New York, and a host of nieces and nephews. When Sylvia married Charles, she embraced a whole new family, who she loved as her own. Sylvia worked as an accountant at Glaxo Smith Kline and later at Powerflow Electric Co. as an accountant. Health conditions became serious in 2009 and she had to stop working. Sylvia truly believed in the words at Acts 20: 35… “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” Sylvia loved people and was eager to help them. This she did as a cheerful giver. On October 2, 2004, Sylvia married the love of her life, Charles. Despite being a city girl, she immediately fell in love with spending her life on a farm. She enjoyed the garden and helping Charles can the fresh food they grew. She loved helping with the goats and chickens and even learned to bid on goats at auctions. One time, while feeding the goats with little Alexis, a goat started bothering Alexis, so Sylvia took the frying pan that was in her hand and hit the goat good and hard on the head to back him up. One of Sylvia’s favorite things to do with Charles was getting up in the morning having a cup of coffee and watching the birds together. In recent months as Sylvia’s health worsened, Charles took on more and more responsibility of her care and making sure she was well looked after. She grew to love him more with each passing day. Sylvia’s favorite place to be was at the Kingdom Hall and with the friends. She loved learning about Jehovah and she even commented at the last meeting she attended. She also had a great zeal for the ministry. And, even though getting out into the door to door work was too difficult for her, she still tried to convince people to come get her and take her out in service. She took every opportunity to give a witness. Whenever she went to a doctor’s office or when nurses and therapists came to her home, they were going to receive a witness despite the fact that she had to talk about her severe medical conditions. Two days before going into the hospital, she was able to speak to two people in the medical field and leave Bible literature with them. Sylvia remained an active publisher despite her circumstances, even turning in a report for the month of February to the brothers from her hospital bed. Most nights, Sylvia was unable to sleep because of pain and discomfort. She found that watching the broadcast channel through the night helped to keep her mind positive and at times even took notes about what she appreciated from it. She loved the music videos entitled: “Just Around the Corner” and “Never Alone”. She loved all animals, especially her dogs, Peanut and Toby. Wherever you found Sylvia, you would find them. Whatever she ate, Toby and Peanut ate. They brought her much comfort and joy especially on the days that were difficult for her. Sylvia loved her family very much and they loved her too. She enjoyed their visits and time spent together. Though they lived far away, the minute they would hear that she was in the hospital or sick, they would jump on a plane to be there for her. Early on the day she went into the hospital, she called her sisters and told them that they needed to come. On their final Sunday together while her sisters were happily chattering about good memories, Sylvia perked up and said that she loved hearing the happy sounds of their voices. As friends and family came to visit her at the hospital she asked at one point, “What can I do with all the love that I am surrounded by in this room?” We said to her, “Soak it all in, Sylvia.” Acknowledgements The many prayers offered during Sylvia’s sickness and that continue during this difficult time are so appreciated. The family would like to express their gratefulness for this precious act of kindness as well as the many calls, cards, visits, and meals given out of love and concern for their dear loved one. May Jehovah continue to bless each and every one.