Sylvia was born in Anniston, Alabama. Her father, a newspaper man, packed up his family in a vintage car and went north. She was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia where her mother sang solos in churches and social events.
Sylvia was a student at Bryn Mawr College—where she was pre-med—and her boyfriend, later her husband, was a student at Haverford College. Following graduation, she lived in the suburbs of Boston for several years. She has a masters from Harvard University and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.
She began her teaching career at Lowell State University, now University of Mass at Lowell. Later, she became a biology professor at Massachusetts Bay Community College where she specialized in teaching science-shy students.
This led to the publication of her first textbook called Inquiry into Life, now in its 16th edition which has a human emphasis and Human Biology which chiefly includes human anatomy and physiology and ecology.
Soon after getting a divorce, Sylvia moved to Martha’s Vineyard where she continued her textbook writing career. There, she wrote Biology, which is a traditional biology text; it does not have a human emphasis and Essentials of Biology, a less intense text. All her biology text books are still being published under the auspices of a co-author.
Sylvia is now married to fellow biologist, Arthur Cohen, and she also enjoys a close relationship with her extensive family of 3 children and 8 grandchildren including Sylvia Kansfield, a professional artist who designed the cover for A Water Lily Blooms.
Sylvia with her husband, Arthur Cohen.
Sylvia with her granddaughter, Sylvia Kansfield.