Sylvia B. Fries (nee Buhrmann)

Sylvia B. Fries (née Buhrmann) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the age of 92.

Sylvia was the second of six sisters, raised by parents whose deep and enduring love for one another left a lasting impression on her life. From an early age, her extraordinary gift for singing was undeniable. At just 11 years old, she won her first talent contest and soon began traveling throughout the city-often by bus-to perform. She further refined her talent through vocal training at CCM.

After graduating from St. X Commercial downtown, Sylvia worked as a secretary by day while pursuing her passion for singing in the evenings and on weekends. It was during this time, while performing with the Cecil Young Orchestra at a dance at the St. Bernard Eagles, that she met her beloved husband, Fritz. Her remarkable voice brought her numerous awards and opportunities, including appearances on The Paul Dixon Show and The Bob Braun Show. With her early success, she was even able to help furnish her parents' home, proudly gifting them a new washer and dryer.

Sylvia and Fritz were married in 1956 and, over the course of eight and a half years, built a beautiful family of six children. As their family grew, so did their home-Fritz built a new house around the corner to accommodate their needs. Sylvia contributed in every way imaginable, even painting the interior during the final month of her pregnancy. They moved into their new home, and just one week later, welcomed their sixth child.

When her youngest child was four, Sylvia returned to full-time work, dedicating 33 years to the advertising industry. She worked with J. Walter Thompson, Doran Advertising, and again with J. Walter Thompson before retiring in 1999.

Throughout her life, Sylvia never stopped singing. She performed with the Forest Aires, participated in the Guardian Angels Follies, and was an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Music Ministry. She sang at nearly every family wedding and filled her home with music-while washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning, or unwinding at the end of the day. Her children often fell asleep to the sound of her voice, whether it was "That Boy with the Bugle" or one of her cherished performances. The choirs of angels have truly welcomed a new soprano.

Above all, Sylvia's greatest joy was her family-her siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins-but especially her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was always ready for a good time, quick to laugh, and eager to try whatever her children were doing. She never took herself too seriously and approached life with resilience and determination. If something needed to be done, Sylvia found a way. A woman of deep faith, she was a devoted Catholic who made holidays and birthdays feel special, even during times when resources were limited. She lived as a true example of honesty, integrity, humility, patience, generosity, perseverance, commitment, loyalty, and love.

Sylvia was a beautiful, selfless, and life-loving woman whose optimism and genuine kindness touched everyone she met. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, and she will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Verona Buhrmann; her husband, Anthony "Fritz" Fries; her son, Michael Fries; her grandson, John L. Jefferies Mayer; her son-in-law, Steve O'Connor; her sisters, Betty Conners and Ginny Frank; and her dearest friend, Sherry Crow.

Sylvia is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Vickie (Dan) Bransom, Matt (Priyanan), Mark (Yvonne), Julie (Todd) Mayer, Cindy O'Connor, Lani Childers, Eric (Brittany) Childers, Christie (Jacob) Stork, Lisa (Brian) Rivers, Michael (Cinthia) Bransom, Jacob Fries, Jennifer Fries, Jacque (Edmund) Grant, Ted Mayer, John (Kaitie) Mayer, Sylvie (Matthew Luebbe) O'Connor, Mary O'Connor, Hudson Childers, Watson Childers, Jackson Stork, Tori Stork, Daniel Rivers, Joshua Bransom, and Henry Mayer.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7800 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sylvia's name to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (ihom.org) or Cincinnati Cancer Advisors (CCA.org).