Funeral services have been set. Visitation 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Therese Catholic Church. Urn placement will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to a scholarship, in the name of Sylvia Parra, for a Kansas City, KS public school student.
Sylvia Margarita Parra, 74, a Northland resident of Kansas City, MO formerly of Kansas City, KS passed away peacefully July 25, 2023, at the St. Luke’s Northland Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She was born November 26, 1948 in Havana, Cuba to Jose A. and Zilia E. (Bosch) Fernandez.
Very well educated and very well read, Sylvia graduated from Forrest Park High School in Beaumont, TX, earned a BS in History and Education from Lamar University, and earned dual Masters degrees from Kansas State University, specializing in Administration and Multicultural Education. Sylvia loved to learn and never stopped educating herself. She had a long and rewarding career in education. She spent over 20 years as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Sumner Academy and later as Principal at J C Harmon High School, both in Kansas City, KS.
Family was most important to Sylvia. She married Daniel Cirilo Parra on September 20, 1970 in Beaumont, TX. In addition to Mr. Parra, survivors include her three sons: Daniel A. Parra and wife, Mallory of Kansas City, MO, Andrew G. Parra of Seward, NE, and Joseph M. Parra and wife, Amber of Ft. Worth, TX; three sisters: Gisela Doggett of Kansas City, KS, Lourdes Courts of Kansas City, KS and Rose Kelly of Edwardsville, KS; she cherished her time with grandchildren and she leaves behind: Brayden, Avery, Sydney, Lauryn, Zackary, Leyton, Adriana, Alejandro and Gabriel. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jose Fernandez.
Memories of Sylvia and condolences may be shared at Meyersfuneralchapel.com.
Sylvia will be missed! She was a positive force in so many lives!! She’s one of those beloved persons who truly make change for good in this world. Rest in Peace, Sylvia.
She was so loved by us all, a vary special person, she will be missed.
She was one my favorite teachers. I learned to enjoy learning Spanish because of her. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to be taught by someone who knowledgeable and caring.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Parra. Your family is in my prayers.
My heart is broken with this news. Rest in peace, Profesora.
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Mrs. Parra. I was one of her Assistant Principals at HHS. She was not just a boss but also a kind and inspiring individual. Her guidance and support have left a lasting impact on my life and career.
During our time working together at JC Harmon High School , Mrs. Parra displayed remarkable leadership and compassion, making our workplace a better and nurturing environment. I will always cherish the memories of her mentorship and the moments we shared as a team.
Her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers during this challenging time. May you find comfort in the cherished memories of Mrs. Parra and the legacy she leaves behind.
With deepest sympathy,
Norm Sedillo
Sounds like a wonderful teacher, mother, grandmother and all around special person. Sorry for your lose to you and your whole family. Rest in peace Mrs.Parra❤️
What a special coworker, mother, and a what a great family! I have fond memories of Sylvia always trying to do the best thing for others.
She was an amazing teacher. Sorry for your loss.
Lourdes and family. I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you all.
So sorry to hear about the passing of a dear friend and someone who I worked with at Sumner Academy for many years. My prayers are with all of her family. She was loved by all. Blessings and Peace.
I loved Sylvia. She was always fair to everyone and great to work with. She was so loyal and always wanted the best for everyone. When God made her, He broke the mold. God bless you Sylvia and God bless her beautiful family!
Sylvia was a caring , charismatic
person who brightened lives of those she touched during her life.
Lamento la pérdida de Sylvia, la hija, la hermana, la estudiante y muy professional consejera, maestra , compañera de trabajo y principal. El elenco de sus roles y el desempeño de los mismos, todos ejecutados con amor, paciencia y dedicación. Me siento privilegiada cuando Sylvia me preguntó “ te atreves a poner en marcha un curso de español para los hispanohablantes?” Yo le contesté: “por supuesto, pero yo no sé nada!” Ella me dice: “ aquí te doy estos libros, léelos, estúdialos y comienza el proceso, confío en ti ” Fue un desafío bien presentado y apreciado. Gracias a ti, Sylvia Parra, hemos logrado ser pioneros en el distrito escolar de Kansas City Kansas al establecer el primer programa completo de español para hispanohablantes y el haber contribuido con otros distritos a establecer los suyos y, no menos importante, tu contribución indirecta a lo que son hoy los estándares de la enseñanza para los estudiantes de herencia hispánica en el estado de Kansas. Jamás serás olvidada. De tu amiga, la Boricua, Tessy
Sylvia was a mentor and inspiration to me during my first years at Sumner. I knew I could always go to her office to get advice or just unload. She treated everyone well and handled problems with aplomb. Sumner was poorer for her absence.
Sylvia was a very special person and outstanding teacher and administrator. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Sylvia was a very special person, teacher and administrator. We were all blessed to have worked with her.
Mrs. Parra believed in me as a fledgling administrator. I watched over her at work like a Cane Corso. I absolutely loved her…a sweet, sassy, sincere lady.
Mrs. Parra was an inspiration through words and actions. Her motivation drove me to study Spanish through college. I use the language often and just mentioned I hope she would be proud of me. I cannot put into words how much she will be missed.
I was so sorry to hear of Sylvia’s passing. I was out of town and unable to attend services. I learned so much from Sylvia. She was so patient with me when I first started at Sumner. I had so much to learn! Then, as I got to know Sylvia better, she became a friend and confidant. She was truly a special person and left this work a better place due to all she did for others.
Somehow the stars aligned in such a way that she was a teacher of mine every year I was in high school. That meant I got to know her a good deal more than most of the other teachers at Sumner Academy. After graduating when I finally started to see successes in my life, Mrs. Parra was the first teacher I wanted to tell about them. It was a while before I found her on Facebook . Hehe.
With her it wasn’t so much student and teacher, it was human and human. I was her student but I considered her a friend, and I admired her. I never told her this but I thought she was a kick-butt mom, too. Anybody who knows her children I think would back me up on that any day of the week.
I love you Sylvia, my world is better because you were in it.