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In Memory of Bea Sykes
Memorials compiled and provided by Colleen Taylor
Bea Sykes and I worked together at Stewart Title for many years. Our relationship was special due to the similar ways we worked with our agents. We spent many days together when planning our biannual “TIPS” conventions, picking locations, themes, food, and activities. We enjoyed every moment working on these events, Junny (Bea’s husband) always assisted even when he didn’t want to.
We always had fun. Bea always dressed up for Halloween when making her visits to agents with candy. It was her trademark. Enjoying life was what she always did. The agents became her friends as well as clients, she was always helping someone. I know she told me she had made several trips to Italy doing her own self-guided bus tours with many friends. I always wanted to go to Italy with Bea and Junny, it would have been the best tour enjoying the sites with them. Bea will be missed by everyone’s life she touched over her 89 years, what a wonderful friend. Love and miss you Bea.
Cindee Maynard
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I began my career in this industry more than 30 years ago, and one of the very first people I had the privilege of meeting was Bea Sykes. From the start, Bea welcomed me with her kindness and her deep knowledge of the title industry. She shared stories, offered guidance, and even taught me a few things that stayed with me long after our first paths crossed.
Eventually, I moved on from the position that brought us together, but it wasn’t long before our paths met again—this time with Bea at Stewart. We picked up right where we left off, as if no time had passed at all. She caught me up on her life, her work, and her transition to Stewart, always with that same warmth and enthusiasm.
Wherever Bea was, Junny was never far behind. I used to wonder about that, not realizing at the time that he had lovingly taken on the role of her personal chauffeur. The devotion they shared was something out of a storybook—quiet, steady, and deeply genuine. Their love was something I truly admired.
Bea cared deeply for the people she worked with and for the industry she dedicated so many years to. You could see it in the way she continued working well into her later years, always committed, always present.
Bea will be deeply missed. Her kindness, her passion, and her presence left an imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Sharron Kennovin
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Bea was a vibrant woman and I am sure is now re-united with the love of her life, Junny, resting in eternal peace. I worked with both for several years. My fondest memories were listening to her share stories about her Italian Catholic heritage and her family. Her faith was a steady part of her life, reflected in the kindness and thoughtfulness she showed to everyone around her. She had a way of making people feel seen and valued, whether through a warm smile, a listening ear, or a gentle word of encouragement. Her sense of humor, and her laugh, could ease even the most stressful day.
I’ll always remember her as someone who shared more than just work; she shared laughter, wisdom, and a sense of camaraderie that made the workplace feel like family. She was petite in stature, but her spirit was larger than life. Her legacy lives on in the joy she brought to others, like the many Halloween costumes she wore when passing out candy to clients and co-workers and the example she set of living with grace and humility. She will be missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace, dear Bea.
Ellen Donohoe
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Bea Sykes was everyone’s Italian grandmother (on nonna, in the vernacular). It wasn’t just that she was good at what she did or that she cared about her agents—a lot of agency representatives have those qualities. No, Bea was different because her agents were family to her. That big, white, Lincoln Junny chauffeured Bea around in was a welcome sight any time it pulled up to an agency or a gathering of title people. If Bea changed companies, her agents followed her; she was that loved and respected. She may have struggled to reach 5 feet in physical stature, but Bea was a giant in the industry in the Commonwealth.
Steve Gregory
Rising Star – Women in Real Estate Award
For Kristyn Dawson, the path to industry is a relatable story: it began as a teen scanning documents and pulling copies from land records. Now Kristyn is the Branch Manager for Community Title Network’s Manassas and Fredericksburg locations. And on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025, her lifelong dedication was recognized when Bisnow honored her with the Rising Star – Women in Real Estate Award.
Kristyn was selected from a competitive set of nominees for her exceptional contribution to the commercial real estate industry. Through her leadership, her team has navigated complex transactions for high-stakes projects, including data centers, auto dealerships, and hotel construction. Colleagues point out that she insists on the same dedication to every single file to deliver outstanding customer service and a flawless product, regardless of the client’s size.
Kristyn said her “heart is full” to be counted among the women leading the industry.
“Thank you to Bisnow for the recognition, to the mentors who have guided me, to the colleagues who support me, and to the clients who trust me,” Kristyn wrote on LinkedIn. “Here’s to growth, gratitude, and the exciting road ahead.”
Kristyn’s expertise is built upon years of experience and her unique drive to push herself onward and upward. While her career began in high school, she would return to the industry she loved again and again. After earning her master’s degree in Education, she settled into the specialty of commercial title insurance, developing the skills required for Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.’s most complex cases.
Tim Hooper Reflects on Presenting at ALTA ONE for the First Time
Reimagining Communication Across the Real Estate Transaction
Why clarity, advocacy, and connection matter more than ever – by Tim Hooper
I still remember the moment like it was yesterday. My wife and I were closing on our third home. This time, a cash purchase. No mortgage. No bank delays. Our dream was to move to rural Virginia somewhere between mountains and the beach. Took the sweat equity in our second home, listed it for 20K more than our real estate agent had recommended, and received a cash offer eight hours later. We packed our belongings into a 26-foot box truck and rolled into the Commonwealth to settle into a solid-bones, fixer upper in the country. A money move! A wealth creation plan we’d put on our vision board eight years earlier. I felt in control. Except … I wasn’t. Not really…
Continuing reading the full article here
Congratulations to The Following VLTA Members & 2025 Award Recipients
If you have any questions or would like to submit your own member news, please reach out to Emily Stephens at membership@vlta.org.
