Sybil was born on March 19, 1926 in Vancouver, BC to Arthur and Katherine Totten. Although an only child, she was born into a large and loving family that welcomed Sybil and her mom, Katherine into their homes. Besides Vancouver, she also spent time growing up in Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB. Sybil was a very social and active person, quick to smile and instigate a gathering; we all benefitted from her ability to cultivate warm and loving relationships with friends and family. She always said “you can judge a person by the company they keep”, and her relationships were all long and enduring with many very special people. My sister and I have often described our childhoods as magical. That is largely in part to our parents friendships with such families as the Tottens, Macleods, Colvins and Farleys to name a few. We all enjoyed our time spent together in each other’s homes and at our favorite spot, The Winter Club. Sybil also loved her time on the ice, curling and competing. Sybil immersed herself in the Oil and Gas industry and took her great organizational skills to the workplace; if you wanted to know anything about the office’s activities, just ask Sybil, she ran the place. After retirement, Sybil headed south to Spokane, WA and King City, OR to be close to and enjoy her time with Candace and sweet little Meghan. We get to see a glimpse of the love we received as children when our parents care for their grandchildren. Sybil showered us all with her love. Sybil was an outstanding cook, and we all turned to heathens whenever she prepared her glorious fried chicken or baked her award winning pies. In our house we all had birthday pie, cake was definitely a distant second. Sybil was a very nurturing individual and had the rare ability of taking your problem on as her own and she would see you through to the end. Warm hugs, warm food and an open and welcome home were her trademarks. Sybil also had a most special relationship with her loving husband, Neal. Neal was never far from her side and was an excellent provider, protector and companion throughout all of their 66 years together. It is hard to say goodbye to someone who has meant so much to so many, we will miss her voice, her warmth and her love.
Sybil is survived by her loving husband, Neal; her son, Brian Burkholder; her daughter, Candace (Kevin) Thomas; as well as her grandchildren, Meghan (Jeff), Reilly, Raegan and Quaid.
She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Katherine Totten.
A Memorial Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4th Street NW, Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, 615 Macleod Trail SE suite 1500, Calgary, AB T2G 4T8.
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