Tribute

July 24, 1932 – March 18, 2026

After losing her husband of 70+ years on February 16th, and enduring a variety of age related health issues, Sylvia joined Hugh on March 18, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Sylvia was the heart and soul of our family. She had a driving passion to provide. Hearth and home were suffused with her boundless energy, nourishing us all with laughter and lunches; homemade everything, every day. There was always something… like fresh bread in the oven filling the house with the aroma of love and constance. She lived by the motto ‘the gift is in the giving’ and gave her all.

And oh my, how she could laugh; the variations from chuckle to bursting, from wry to outright guffaw; we carry these as some of her many everlasting gifts.

She was keen: she leaned into every family adventure in endless variety. Become a Ski Patroller so we could get season’s passes? Sure! Create a meal plan for five that we could carry on our backs for a two week canoe trip? You bet! Move the family to Switzerland for a year? What? OK! Bake a cake in the pouring rain over a fire? No problem! Build a sailboat and spend almost three years sailing the South Pacific, just the two of them?? She was always game. Their second boat was aptly named Catalyst, which mum personified.

She was an avid reader; our book lists have been enriched by her recommendations as have our recipe libraries. A gardener, a seamstress, a fabric artist, a sailor, a skier, and a witty wordsmith, she was an extraordinary woman. Never was there a kinder soul.

Sylvia had a deep understanding of the importance of family and it showed in unique ways. Friends and family continue to grow ‘Grampa’s Beans’ from heritage seed that her dad had been growing since the 1930’s, a tangible legacy.

Sylvia will be deeply missed by her three children Bruce (Susan), Kelly (George), Lynn (Paul), four grandchildren Eric (Elizabeth), Graham (Sarah), Tom (Irina), Derek (Julie) and 6 great grandchildren who dearly loved Nanny Sylvia (and her vegetable cookies!).

In honour of Sylvia people may make a donation to The Salt Spring Foundation or Lady Minto Hospital. Thank you.