TENANTS HARBOR — Sylvia R. Armstrong, 87, of Tenants Harbor, passed away peacefully at Knox Center on September 17,2022, where she received wonderful care through out her stay, including, during hospice, which her family appreciated greatly.

She was born to parents Annie and Edwin Richardson on March 18, 1935 in Waterville, Maine, and completed her nursing degree in 1957.

Sylvia loved caring for people on every level, passing courses in communicable disease and psychiatric nursing. She spent many years at Knox hospital until transferring to Penobscot Bay Medical Center, working in the emergency department, where she remained until her retirement. Sylvia loved meeting and talking to people, thus easing fears in sometimes traumatic situations. It was joked that if she didn't know you directly, she knew a relation of yours.

Sylvia not only cared for her patients but her coworkers as well, belonging to a local nursing chapter in which she would attend and host meetings.

Sylvia married Robert (Bob) Armstrong in 1970. They enjoyed their lovely home which Bob built on Barters Point in Tenants Harbor, with it's deck and picture perfect view of the bay. They often hosted gatherings of friends and family as Sylvia was not only a good nurse, but a wonderful cook and gracious host.

Unfortunately Bob died much to soon in 1997, but as always Sylvia pushed on through and continued her nursing. Ultimately she developed a friendship and later married Merton Murphy, who was also a widower, a wonderful man whom along with his sons, we all welcomed, with open arms, into our blended family. Unfortunately Mert left us much to soon as well in 2015.

Sylvia enjoyed shopping and was always dressed to the nines. Often running into people she knew and talking to each one for some time as she enjoyed catching up, thus turning shopping into a day long event. Sylvia enjoyed singing with a local group, and attending St. Peters Episcopal church. She also enjoyed travel, visiting her daughter, in whatever area the military family happened to be in at any given time or just roughing it in a camper. She was a champion in whatever situation she was placed and will leave a gaping hole in the hearts of family and friends.

Upon exiting Knox, shortly before her passing, a conversation was held with a doctor who had worked with her and stated "she was the best nurse I knew." I am sure there would have been no higher praise than this in her eyes, a compliment not given lightly.

Sylvia was very proud of her family and loved them dearly.

She is survived by daughter Theresa Carver and her husband Franz of Sparks Nevada and their kids Christian, Kelly, and Josef; son Michael Barie and his wife Wendy of Rockport and their daughter Jenny; son Robert Armstrong Jr of Tenants Harbor; son John Armstrong and his wife Brenda of Tenants Harbor and their daughters Amber and Tara; son Matthew Murphy and his wife Pam of Melbourne Florida.

She also left behind a number of great grandchildren.

Sylvia requested that there be no service and that in lieu of flowers you might make a donation to the Beta Sigma Phi Beryl Borgerson Nursing Scholarship, the Knox Nurses Guild Nursing Guild nursing scholarship, or the St. George Ambulance service.