Sylvia E. (Bliven) Johnson, 87, died March 8, 2003, from complications arising from a stroke.

She was born Feb. 26, 1916, near Stella, Wash., outside of Longview, the daughter of John William and Hilda Antilla. She was the oldest of three children. She attended high school in Longview, where she graduated in 1934. She went on to attend Washington State College, graduating in 1938 with a degree in home economics. After college, she began working with the Cooperative Extension Service as a home demonstration agent in Mount Vernon.

In 1942, she was honored to be among the first 450 women in America chosen to join the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps. Upon completion of her training in Des Moines, Iowa, she was commissioned as a third officer. She was later promoted to second lieutenant. After the war, she married Harry Bliven of Rochester, N.Y. They had two sons, William and Raymond.

In 1958, Sylvia resumed her career with the Cooperative Extension Service and was appointed Island County Extension agent. During her 22 years in the county she answered questions from homemakers and farmers as well as coordinating 4-H clubs countywide, including the annual 4-H camp at Cornet Bay and the Island County Fair. In 1972 she was grand marshall of the fair. She retired in January 1981, whereupon she earned the title of county Extension agent emeritus, with an equivalent grade of professor at Washington State University.

Her husband, Harry Bliven, passed away in 1969. In 1975, she married a pre-war friend, Arnell Johnson of Anacortes. During their retirement years living in Coupeville, they remained active in the Methodist church, Vasa Lodge and the Grange, and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. At the end of 2000, the couple moved to Anacortes. Mr. Johnson passed away in March 2002.

She is survived by two sons, William, of Sterling Va., and Raymond, of Ridgefield; a sister, Toini Harrison of Loma Linda, Calif.; and two stepsisters, Alene Mueller of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Sylvia McKee of Anacortes, and their children and grandchildren.

Remembrances may be sent for scholarships to the home economics department of Washington State University, to the ALS Association in Calabasas Hills, Calif., or to Coupeville United Methodist Church.

A memorial service was held March 14 at Coupeville United Methodist Church.