Sylvia Dawn Tandy Vandermeulen

Sylvia Dawn the Early Years

I you ever wonder how it was that Sylvia came into a room and filled that room with energy? well you'd have to go back to when Sylvia was a baby to find out. It would seem that when Sylvia was very young, there was a fire down the road passed Sylvia's house Every one got in the car to follow the fire truck to the fire. Everyone that is but Sylvia. While at the fire, Mom, Dad, Ann and Grandpas Lightowlers looked at each other to see who had Sylvia. Nope they had forgot her at home. From that day on Sylvia said the shit ain't happening again. So you always knew when Sylvia was in the room.

Miss Independent oh Yeah

Like the time Sylvia would spend with her namesake Aunt Sylvia, Uncle Harry, Cousins Don, Sandra, and Stephen. Uncle Harry would go off to work down the road, the kids would go off to school through he field. Aunt Sylvia and young Sylvia would be left at home... NOT. Seems Sylvia Dawn had seen the path Donny, Sandra, and Stephen had taken to school so when she would go missing from the yard Aunt Sylvia would head to the school to bring Sylvia Dawn home, Sylvia Dawn was not there. Now panic set in. Looking around she spotted Sylvia Dawn, Down the road Uncle Harry took to work, playing with the stones on the side of the road. Now the real scary side of the story is that road ended at the very busy #7 Hwy. As the crow flies Aunt Sylvia took off though a swamp got to her, picked her up tanned her behind and said that shit ain't happening again. Aunt Sylvia went home found a cinder block and a double dutch skipping rope and a harness that had to be put on backwards so Sylvia Dawn couldn't find a way out of it. Now as Stephen would say, She had more freedom then the dog tied up out back. But at lest Aunt Sylvia knew where she was all the time.

Sitter

I don't need no sitter but when Mom and Dad went to work, sister Ann was left to look after Sylvia Dawn. Now Sylvia Dawn had different ideas like i will just go to a different friends house each time and they will find me after awhile. She would never call Ann to say witch friends house she was at So Ann would have to call her Mom and Dad at work, so they could help track her down. No big Deal Sylvia would say. Fall of 1977 I'd rescued a little kitten from the dump, cleaned it up and brought it in for Ann when telling the story where it came from, Sylvia said i will name you Dumpy and that name stuck.

Sylvia The Greatest

First with me would be learning how to drive a standard. I had the pleasure of teaching Sylvia how to drive a 5 speed she was a natural and when she bought her Saturn it was a standard. Sylvia Dawn went to hair dressing school part of her course was barbering she needed a (duffis, i mean) Friend she could practice on for the hot shave. All went well till the test. It turns out i'm a bleeder, the poor girl did not get a good mark on that one, and I was not asked to sit for her final exam. All about Sylvia. She wanted to pass.

The Greatest Sister-in-Law Ever

Whenever Ann, TJ, Bobby, or Myself needed anything Sylvia was there with Jessie, Tyler and Jeff to help with moving,planing parties, hospital stays or a shoulder to cry on. You could Always count on Sylvia Dawn. We Love you Sassy.

Doug Parker

Good afternoon. My name is Alma a friend of Sylvia for exactly 29 years. From the day we met to the day she was called home. When given the honor to say a few words today I said yes and later wondered how, in a few words...

To Jeff: Sylvia's Husband, Lover, Partner and Best Friend.

To Tyler and Jessie: Your Mom, Your Support, Your Disciplinarian, and Your Strength.

To Betty, Don: Sylvia's Parents Your Little Girl, Your Baby, Your Challenge, and Your Joy.

To Ann, Doug, Bonnie: her Family your Sister, Sister-in-law, Your "Sassy", Your Fun, Your Hope, your Encouragement.

To Cousins, Family extended family co-workers and all present here today:

Over the last years, weeks and days many words have been spoken of Sylvia Words like Strength resounded, words like Grace, Friendly, Determined, Funny,

Sarcastic, Spirited, Bratty, Stubborn, Opinionated, True, Loving, Caring, Blunt, Honest, and Dynamic, Acceptance. Words so many words to try and describe a very multifaceted woman. One word that came to me through all of you is an old Greek word.

"Agape"

Not to be confused for any other word for love. The definition of Agape is: "The unconditional love that transcends all others, that serves others regardless of circumstances" Let me read that again.

Jeff, Sylvia witnessed and lived this very love to you for 30 years. What a gift you have received from her. One day at Mount. Sinai we were chatting as we might have done a time or two and Sylvia’s circumstances were difficult to say the least, she looked at me and said: “I’m OK, I can do this. I just hope Jeff doesn’t have to see me suffer. I don’t want to hurt him.” On Jeff that is “Agape.” She was so worried about you.

Tyler Jessie How many time have we heard how proud she was of both of you. What great kids you were, what care you took of her. Through 3 years of her illness. Her “little Boy” her “Baby Girl” She knew you both so well. She was always so brave for you. Another way “Agape” was shown. She put on a BRAVE face, she put you before herself that was your Mom… we all here have experienced Sylvia’s “Agape”

Whether that was her work at Christian Horizons, her gift of time for her friends. Her support to everyone regardless of circumstances we received. Her wisdom when we needed it, her blunt to the point words when we needed them most. We were given her smile to light up the room. We got generosity a heart of gold, and her “Look” we’ve all seen that “Look” her huge laugh, her gentle touch, her sparkling eyes. Her sarcastic tones. Her wit. Her beauty inside and out. Her care when Sylvia herself was in extraordinary circumstances Sylvia’s “Agape”

I have the privilege of being the recipient of this love, through endless conversation, buckets of coffee, weekends away, Shenanigans from one coast to the other in the last year. Evenings on the porch. Our chairs side by side you on the right me on the left. Sunday Dinners. Oh my partner in crime my dear friend what times we’ve had. And for this I will be forever grateful. I will look for you and find you in every river, every dragonfly, on the mountain tops, and every Timmy’s in-between. You will be present on so many occasions and in so many moments. Today and everyday hereafter let us take this gift our heavenly father by his example gave to our Sylvia. It was meant to be shared, this way we never really lose her. She continues on through us. In whatever circumstances we shine on, we love on, as she did for us and we all have the opportunity and choice to help each other “Walk Home”. A quote I once received from Sylvia was this: “Good people are like candles they burn themselves out to give others light.”

In closing I will not say ‘goodbye’ I never did. I will end with a “whisper kiss” and I will talk to you later. Yes my Girlie I will talk to you later. Thank-you.

Alma DeVries

Celebration of Life Speeches

I would like to thank everybody on behalf of Jeff, Tyler and Jessie and the other family members for coming to the Celebration of Life for Sylvia or to some others known as 'Sassy' among other nicknames.

For those of you that don't know me my name is Frank i had the pleasure and honor of meeting Sylvia over 20 years ago through work. Our Friendship only grew over the years from being her co-worker to her work husband to good friends. I was adopted into the Vandermeulen family by her and Jeff. We all have shared may laughs and good times over the years. Sylvia and Jeff were there for me thought my rough times. i looked to her as a big sister and i could at times be the younger and annoying little brother. i can be pretty determined at times, not stubborn. Sylvia was one of the only people that we could argue or get med at each other, that did happen once or twice., and we'd both say what we wanted to say then it would be over. Usually with me getting called 'Idiot' or 'Ass' or some other name.

(mouse story)

Sylvia was always one to listen and give encouragement or and opinion, and we all know that she had a lot of opinions. But she cared and whatever she said and in whatever context (usually a for of sarcasm it me) it was honest. Sometimes to honest but we all loved her for it.

Sylvia's love for her family was amazing. I know how proud she was of Tyler and Jessie. Her love for Jeff and his love for her is something that I hope everybody can have in their lives. They faced a lot of trials and tribulations throughout the years but knew they had found true love and best friends in each other.

We all knew her love of photography. She was always taking pictures at family and friendly functions, vacations, etc. Seems like a lot of my embarrassing times were caught by her.

(being dressed up story.)

Sylvia you have imprinted a picture in everybody's mind and hearts that knew you. I speak for myself of course but I'm sure that everyone will agree.

I know I will never bake another snicker-doodle again without thinking of you and the thousands that you have had me bake for you over the years.

(Sawdust snicker-doodle story)

Frank Thurston

This past year Sylvia and I were somewhat distant from each other, making these last days even more difficult than they already were. After being called to the hospital Jeff welcomed me with a warm hug and some much needed words. I then went into the hospital and found Sylvia in a room full of people. Somehow we managed to hug each other and cry and the room was suddenly empty. We were able to have a long overdue conversation. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. I know she always loved me and cared about me but just couldn’t reach out to me.

Later, Jeff approached me about saying a few words about Sylvia when the time came; I was touched, honoured and grateful to be invited to do so…and so here I am, someone who rarely speaks publicly, feeling vulnerable, in front of a crowd of people. I know Sylvia is chuckling with glee over this.

As I began to reflect on over 30 years of memories I couldn’t think of what I would say. Memories flashed across the movie screen of my mind so quickly no one event stood out. It was just a blur of rapid images. I was very alarmed and even panicked by this but after a few deep breathes realized all of this is okay; it just speaks to the significance of Sylvia’s presence in my life. Many, many events and a lifetime of memories all piled on top of each other, mixed and blended together, categorized into themes: memories of camping, which we did a lot of, both with and without the kids, endless hours of games, especially Rummicub, rearranging the tiles only to find that we hadn’t actually placed one and had to pick up after all, wine tastings in Prince Edward County, birthday parties, family gatherings; the list goes on and on. Sylvia loved to have people around her. Her great sense of humour always lightened the mood if things got too serious. She enjoyed setting people up for her own amusement. I’ll never forget arriving at Sylvia’s house for lunch one day and being told I would have to cook by own live lobster if I was planning to eat; she just snickered as I psyched myself to drop this poor lobster into the pot. Sylvia loved road trips and if that involved shopping all the better. There were many trips to Bigley’s in Bobcaygeon where we would try on dozens of shoes and occasionally leave with one or two pairs. Jeff told me on numerous occasions to stop using the ‘B’ word as it always cost him lots of money. In more recent years, regular trips to Toronto also included shopping. Things like mixing up Islington with Eglinton in our quest for one particular store didn’t faze Sylvia and just added to the adventure. Sylvia was the Queen of Gizmos and Gadgets. She always found unusual and unique items that I had no idea existed; things such as a meat defrosting tray, a campsite ice maker, a variety of mosquito traps, a garlic peeler that actually worked, a variety of food storage containers, planter watering systems, unique deck lights, and the list goes on. I have several such items -gifts from Sylvia that she thought I would like or could use, given for no particular occasion. Sylvia always liked to be involved in whatever was going on. She was a huge help with Brad and Eva’s wedding, spending hours cleaning out and weeding the flower beds at the farm where the wedding took place. She was supportive of my return to university and was there taking numerous pictures to capture my graduation in spite of her recent diagnosis. In true Sylvia style, she just said “This is your day; we’ll deal with my stuff tomorrow.”

Sylvia touched the hearts of many people and I feel so honoured to have had her as my sister-in-law and friend for so many years. I have no doubt that she is in Heaven’s shoe store right now, trying on every pair of shoes imaginable. I can visualize her at Heaven’s Gates welcoming family and friends as they arrive, wearing a pair of bright red, patent leather, high heeled shoes.

I love you lots, Sylvia, and really miss you.

Glenda Zomer-Vandermeulen

Dear Sylvia

Thank you for 23 years of friendship, For the Joy, the laughter, the tears and the many conversations about everything. Thanks for the support when I needed it the truth when I needed it, and for letting me support you. For being together whether we were scrapbooking, apple picking, baking, knitting or on day trips here and there throughout the years. We’ve worked together, camped together, sang songs together at the top of our lungs with Pinky on the way to visit Angel. So many good memories to hang on to. I wish there could have been more. I wish the birthday card you gave me this year would have come true, that we’d be friends till were old and senile, and then we’d be new friends again. The last line was happy birthday to a true friend. That went both ways. You were a true friend, I will hang on to all those memories until I’m old and senile. You were one of a kind, I love you, I miss you.

Love Marg

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VANDERMEULEN, Sylvia Dawn (née Tandy)

To our sorrow Sylvia was called home on August 19, 2016 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre at the age of 51. Beloved wife of Jeff Vandermeulen. Loving mother of son Tyler Vandermeulen and daughter Jessie Vandermeulen, both of Peterborough. Dear sister of Anne Parker (Doug) of Peterborough and Bonita Joulie (Leighton) of B.C. Cherished daughter of Betty Tandy (late Keith) and Don Tandy (Arlis) both of Peterborough. Sadly missed daughter-in-law of Joe and Frances Vandermeulen. Lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. The family will receive friends at COMSTOCK - KAYE LIFE CELEBRATION CENTRE, 356 Rubidge Street, on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. A Private Service will be held on Wednesday. A Public Celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at a later date. In honour of Sylvia, donations can be made to the Mt. Sinai Foundation - Sarcoma Clinic. Online condolences may be made at www.comstockkaye.com.