Sylvia Anne Atkins, 56, of Mount Prospect, Illinois passed away after a long battle with cancer on June 6, 2024 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Sylvia was born in Chicago on June 25, 1967, the youngest of two children to Rudolf and Katharine Klatt. Sylvia was a dedicated and loving daughter to Rudy and sister to Peter after losing their mother at a young age.

Sylvia attended St. Clements grade school and Alvernia High School, both in Chicago. She studied Psychology at Northwestern University and went on to get her Masters at Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. In 1995 she received her PHD in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She began working as a Psychologist with a specialty in childhood development and autism. She worked for a variety of different practices before opening her own practice in 2000, Barnes and Klatt, P.C. with her partner Ann. Sylvia provided help to many people. She was extremely smart and dedicated to her patients and colleagues. She was passionate about her work and had a positive influence on so many people.

Sylvia met the love of her life, Mark Atkins, while he was visiting from England. While on a mutual friend's boat, sparks flew over Lake Michigan. After they left the boat they made plans to meet again, and after that second date, love was in the air. The two were married on August 25, 2000, excited to share their lives together.

Sylvia was a caregiver not only in her work and to her family but also to cats. Everyone who knew Sylvia was aware of how much she loved taking care of these animals. She had many of her own over the years, treating each and every one like the valuable family member they were. She fostered many kittens over the years through Feral Feline Project and was many times a surrogate mother.

Ideal downtime for Sylvia would be working on her tan at a Florida beach surrounded by palm trees and flamingos, AC/DC playing, a margarita held in her perfectly manicured hand showing off her long, colorful fingernails, and her best friends Tracy and Wendy by her side. Tracy was Sylvia's number one partner in crime from age 14 and they were practically inseparable throughout their lives. They were together through it all only parted by Sylvia's passing. Tracy was an invaluable support for Sylvia throughout her life, as were the multitude of friends Sylvia had.

Sylvia will be remembered for her endurance and strength, for her compassion and love, and for all she taught those around her about life and living. Sylvia endured more than the strongest man in the world could have endured in the face of medical uncertainty and she did it all with grace and dignity.  Sylvia was a fighter until the very end.

We know Sylvia would like to thank numerous caregivers including Toni Alldridge, Mark's sister, and Connie Olles as well as cancer support groups for all they have done for her throughout the years.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her mother, Katharine Klatt, her father Rudolf Klatt and her cousin Brian Wills. She is survived by her husband, Mark Atkins, and her brother Peter Klatt (Gale Lukat). She is also survived by Lola, Jaspurr, Rocky and Kylie, her beloved "furr-babies".

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Feral Feline Project www.feralfelineproject.org by accessing the In Loving Memory of Sylvia Atkins page and clicking Donate or by mail to: Feral Feline Project P.O. Box 1, Wheeling, Illinois 60090 (please put a notation on the check: donation on behalf of Sylvia Atkins).