Sylvia Jean Edmundson
Obituary

Sylvia Jean Edmundson, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away at the Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs from complications due to a heart attack on July 9, 2026, at the age of 80, with her husband and daughter in attendance.

Sylvia was born at the Torrance Memorial Hospital in Torrance, CA, on August 5, 1945, to John Melvin Hicks and Josephine Margaret Gardner.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Brian, their daughter, Jejelle, and her brothers Joe (Diane) and Raymond. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, and her brother Richard.

Sylvia grew up in the South Bay area and graduated from Lawndale High School. She was an avid surfer, but her true interest was music. At a young age, she studied accordion, entering several accordion competitions with her school accordion group. She soon switched to classical piano, taking private lessons from the former Washington University Dean of Music and becoming a member of the Musician’s Guild.

Sylvia and Brian met out of their shared love of music and performance. Together, with this shared love, an enduring partnership was born, leading to their marriage in 1976, which continued for forty-nine years. After relocating to Big Bear Lake, CA, in 1977, an additional partnership was formed, and they actively performed for 43 years as "Ripplin' Waters."

With Sylvia playing keyboards, keyboard bass, and with her incredible singing voice, they performed throughout the valley, including 10 1/2 years at the Sugarloafer. When they recorded two singles for Interstate 40 Records, Sylvia eagerly shared that their co-written song “I Picked A Winner in You” received airplay in 30 states.

In her later years, frequent health issues kept Sylvia confined at home for a good portion of her time, but she held on strongly to her Christian faith, spending at least two hours each day reading the scriptures and praying for various people in need of prayer.

Sylvia was strikingly beautiful, with a personable nature that would light up a room the moment she walked into it. It took just a few moments to love her. She cherished being a loving wife and mother and a devoted cat and dog mom.

Her presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of music, love, and kindness will live on through all who knew her.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 am at Shepherd in the Pines Lutheran Church in Big Bear Lake, California.