Sylvia was born on October 13, 1937 in Trail, BC, the 3rd child to Florence and Archibald Brown. Older sister Janet and big brother Ian doted on their fair haired, freckle faced baby sister until of course she grew old enough to "tattle" on them, hi-jacking I'm sure many date nights.
She was a happy child despite the hardships of growing up in a single parent family (her father died when she was just two) and made many friends with her quick smile, sense of humor and wonderful stories, characteristics she carried throughout her long-life.
Sylvia studied psychiatric nursing at Essingdale in Vancouver, and met George there not long after he arrived in Canada. They were married in 1957 and she had their first born, Vernon in 1958. They moved to Kitimat in 1958 where they grew their family to include Garry and then Nancyjane.
She worked at the original Smelter site hospital and then the newer "Pink Lady" as a ward nurse and even managed to volunteer giving tours when the new hospital was built, giving bragging rights to say she had worked at all three of Kitimat's hospitals. She had many great stories of the hospital beach location, often telling is they could see patients being brought across the water from Kitamaat Village.
Sylvia was very involved in the spinning and weaving guild and shared her talent by making many beautiful pieces, shawls, scarves and tea towels.
She was diagnosed with MS at the age of 50 and showed great strength and courage as the disease slowly advanced on her mobility. She rarely let it get the best of her and when she moved into long-term care in 2012 she participated in all the activities that were available to her.
She is pre-deceased by her parents, her brother and sister and George (her husband of 65 years) just this past December. Vernon, Garry and Nancyjane have many wonderful memories and stories to share with her 4 grandchildren, Sarah and Corey (Garry's) and Daniel and Trevor (Sam and Nancyjane's) Two great-granddaughters Olive and Avery had been able to meet their great Omi too.
She will be missed by many. Much thanks to her long-standing friend Luella Froess and to all the staff at MLC who cared for her so kindly.
If you care to make a donation in her name please do so to either the "Activation Program" at Multi-level care - Kitimat General Hospital or the Canadian MS Society.
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