Sylvia B. Stunkel

Sylvia Beeghly Stunkel (Jake) a long-term Stamford resident and mother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully at home Monday July 13, 2026, after suffering from Dementia for several years. Sylvia was born on her grandmother’s farm in Waterbury Ct on August 9, 1932, to the late Wood D. and Viola (Gass) Beeghly. She was 93 years old at the time of her passing.

To family and friends that knew her well, Sylvia had a nickname given to her by her father who had died when she was five. To this day, the nickname” Jake “stayed with her. Sylvia spent her childhood on Willowbrook Avenue in the Cove before moving around the corner to the house where she made a home and lived in till she passed. Sylvia attended KT Murphy, Rogers and graduated from Stamford High School in 1950. Sylvia worked many years in a variety of clerical jobs before retiring from Mohawk Kitchens. Sylvia volunteered at her children’s schools, as a Girl Scout leader and as a counter at the First United Methodist Church where she was a lifetime member. Sylvia was known for giving advice, but rarely taking it, her love of Ladybugs, the color turquoise and shopping! Sylvia was always on the go with friends or her sisters, bowling with Fred, ceramics and traveling to places when she could and if a casino was in the area.

Sylvia is survived by her five children: Bruce and Janet Stunkel, Barry Stunkel, Sally and Robert Kyker, Bonnie and Brien Adams and Brian Stunkel. She also leaves behind her 7 grandchildren: Kevin Kyker and Andrea Gorrie, Karen and Dennis O’Donnell, Melissa and Brian Gismervick, Bradley and Allysa Stunkel, Daniel and Marcella Adams, Brien and Colleen Adams, 6 great grandchildren Shane, Seth, Henry, Andrew, Jaxson, and JoAnna, her sister Blanche Berry of Maine and several nieces and nephews. Sylvia also leaves behind several good friends and neighbors.

In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Fred W. Stunkel whom she was married to for over 70 years; her brothers Elias and Wood Beeghly, her sisters: Phyllis Kopec, Mary Jensen, and Viola Wright as well as their spouses, three nephews and her daughter in law Mary (Kitty) Malvase.

Visitation will take place at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford on Friday July 17th from 4pm to 7pm. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 18th at 10am at First United Methodist Church, 42 Cross Street, in Stamford. Interment will follow at Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: My Sister’s Place 380 Main Street, Ansonia CT 06401.

To leave a message of condolence online, please visit www.cognetta.com.