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On Aug. 20, 2026, Sylvia Jean Klatush Cayenne began her transition into her next adventure, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.
Sylvia was born Sept. 24, 1949, in Seattle, Washington, to Jane Klatush Cayenne and Frank Cayenne Sr. She made her home on the Chehalis Indian Reservation in Oakville, Washington, where her life became deeply woven into her family, community and culture.
Sylvia attended Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma, where her personality was already impossible to contain. She participated in the drill team and marching band and proudly earned the title of Chilocco High School’s twisting champion — a story that captures the fun, spirited woman her family and friends would know throughout her life.
That competitive spirit stayed with Sylvia. She was also an expert pool player, becoming a pool champion throughout the Thurston and Grays Harbor areas. Whether she was dancing, competing around a pool table or simply enjoying the people around her, Sylvia brought her unmistakable personality wherever she went.
In her early years, Sylvia worked as a housekeeper in the hospitality industry and later tended bar at the Rainbow Tavern and the Broken Wheel. Her commitment to her community also led her to serve on the Chehalis Tribal Business Committee, where she took part in pioneering the opening of the Lucky Eagle Casino all while serving the community she loved. She eventually began working in Human Resources for the Chehalis Tribe, where she remained until her retirement. No matter the job or title, Sylvia’s greatest work was always caring for people.
Sylvia was a natural caregiver, opening her heart, home and arms to those who needed her. To many, she was simply “Gram.” She created a safe space where people felt welcomed, accepted, understood and cared for. Whether someone needed a meal, a place to land, someone to listen or someone to tell them to “Get ’er done,” Sylvia was there.
Her commitment to learning and living her culture became an important part of her life’s journey. Sylvia was instrumental in creating and establishing the Chehalis Tribal Canoe Family alongside the many people who participated and helped build its foundation. Through that work, she became affectionately known as “Canoe Mamma.” She helped establish traditional expectations for the Canoe Family and found a deep love for ceremony and dancing. She also participated with the Siyaya Drum Group.
Sylvia gave freely of herself across cultural and spiritual spaces. She respected and supported many religious traditions and was often found helping wherever she was needed — cooking, making frybread, participating in ceremony or simply giving her time. Her way of caring for people was not limited by blood, belief or circumstance.
Those who knew Sylvia describe her in ways that seem almost contradictory until you knew her: beautiful and feisty, calming and strict, hilarious and strong. She was loving, compassionate, resilient, passionate, accepting and sometimes just a little crazy — in the very best way. She carried herself with integrity and strength, but underneath it all was an enormous capacity to love.
And if something caught her eye, there was always the possibility you would hear: “Is that mine?”
Sylvia leaves behind her children, Gail White Eagle, Walter Lewis and Andrew Flores; grandchildren, Sylvanna, Ryan, Skylar, Marcus, Cheyene, Whitney, Andrew Jr., Bo and Cole; and great-grandchildren, RJ, Tearny, Journey, Lykaios, Siprianna, Syvina, Tonia, Melanie and Levi.
She is also survived by her siblings, Gerald Cayenne, Frank Cayenne Jr., Sheena Tanner, Debbie Cayenne, Darrell Jack Cayenne and Dennis Cayenne, along with the many relatives, extended family members, Canoe Family members, community members and people who simply came to know her as Gram.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Jane Klatush Cayenne and Frank Cayenne Sr.; her twin sister, “Baby Klatush”; James “Jumbo” Cayenne; and Cheryle “Mimi” Cayenne.
Sylvia’s legacy cannot be measured only by the family tree she leaves behind or the positions she held. It lives in the people she cared for, the children she helped raise, the meals she prepared, the culture she helped strengthen, the Canoe Family she helped build, the laughter she created and the countless people who knew they had a safe place with her.
And when something needed to be done, Sylvia’s answer was simple:
“Get ’er done.”
A celebration of life ceremony honoring Sylvia was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at the Chehalis Tribal Community Center.
