The family of Sylvia Jean Earnhart Hazlerig of Bellevue, Washington is saddened to announce her passing on April 4th, 2025 at 90 years of age. Sylvia is survived by her children, Steve Hazlerig, Glen Hazlerig, Susan Hazelmann, James Hazlerig (known to many by his stage name Cedric Fithelere) and his wife Joyce; her grandchildren, David Hazlerig, Bryan Stone, Christopher Hazlerig, Jacob Hazlerig, Alexander Hazelmann, Ami Hazelmann, Tyler Ciapala-Hazlerig and Natasha Ciapala-Hazlerig.

Sylvia was predeceased by parents, Winifred Wilhite Earnhart and Glen Earnhart; brother Richard Earnhart; grandfather Jesse Wilhite; aunt Carolyn Wilhite and former husband Jack Hazlerig.

Sylvia was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, on July 23rd, 1934. After spending her early childhood in Wyoming and Detroit, she spent the rest of her growing up years in Texas. Sylvia had an early love of music and devoted much of her time to learning piano and violin. While still in high school, she won a composition competition with a violin sonata, described by the professional violinist who performed it as “challenging.” She graduated from North Texas State University with Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.

Following her marriage to Jack, Sylvia lived in Denton, Texas when her son Steve was born, in Aransas Pass when her son Glen was born and then Lubbock, Texas, where Susan and James were born while Jack was pursuing his PhD at Texas Tech University. Sylvia continued to study music and played for the ballet classes at the university, as well as composing a musical that was performed there. She and Jack shared an interest in early music. They hosted a recorder group in their home and Jack built her a harpsichord which is still treasured by the family.

After the family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, Sylvia began teaching children piano. She spent countless hours “Teaching Little Fingers to Play” using the beginning piano book of the same name. Her children grew up surrounded by music and musicians. Sylvia attempted to teach all her children to play piano but, through no fault of her own, it only really stuck with Steve, who can play both piano and recorder by ear. James became an accomplished musician and fiddler, having played alongside Sylvia in an old-time country band they organized. Some of her children’s most cherished memories involve the family gathering around the piano each Christmas Eve to sing carols. It was only in later life that they realized how fortunate they had been to have a piano in their home and an accomplished pianist to play it, as well as siblings and parents who enjoyed the tradition.

In 1976, the family moved to Laredo, Texas, where Sylvia continued to teach children piano, violin and organ. At the same time, she completed her Masters degree in composition at Central Missouri State University and began teaching music at the Laredo Community College, where many of her compositions were performed.

After retirement, Sylvia moved to Crestone, Colorado with her dear friends Fred Dugan and Jim Houser. She continued to play, compose and teach music. She also built the Hazlerig Music House specifically for music and hosted many concerts there featuring a variety of musicians. She developed an interest in art and began painting, perhaps influenced by her grandfather Jesse Wilhite, who was also a painter. Her family still has many of Sylvia’s paintings and two books of her art.

An avid traveler, she went on many cruises and numerous trips to visit her scattered children and grandchildren.

As her health began failing, she moved to Bellevue, Washington to be near her children Steve and Susan. She was still able to do art and play music and enjoy visits from all her children and grandchildren. In more recent years, she became bedridden but still listened constantly to Beethoven and enjoyed the ice cream that Steve brought her daily.

She will be much missed by family as well as a host of friends, musicians and former students.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life memorial on September 27th, 2025 in Bellevue, WA.

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