Sylvia Griffiths

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our mother, Daisy Sylvia Griffiths, age 92, on February 6, 2025 at Langley Lodge, BC after a lengthy illness, with her family at her bedside.

Mom was born in Cardiff, South Wales, UK to Blodwen (Lewis) and Frederick Wilkinson Smith, though the family home was in Blackwood, as was Dad’s.

Mom and Dad met as teenagers when she worked in the Stores and he was a young apprentice at South Wales Switchgear in Blackwood – when dad asked for a rubber mallet and had to convince mom that he was not pulling her leg. They married at 18 and 20 in 1950 and had their four children over the next nine years. Dad said mom was ‘his girl’ for over seventy years until his passing in 2020.

In 1962, the family emigrated to Canada. After one cold year in Winnipeg, the family moved to Pembroke, Ontario, and then in 1966, moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland for dad’s work and where mom worked as a retail store manager and antique dealer.

After retirement, mom and dad lived a full, happy life with summers in Guelph, Ontario and winters in Dunedin, Florida, until their final move to White Rock, British Columbia in 1998. They loved to travel and mom made friends everywhere; it was remarkable how many cards, letters, gifts and visits she received after making lifelong friends of strangers.

Mom was highly intelligent and had a strong wit - an avid reader, she surrounded herself with books, was expert at crossword puzzles, especially enjoying cryptic crosswords.

Mom had become a Canadian citizen, but her roots were still in Wales. In her seventies, she won an award for her poetry entry in the Welsh National Eisteddfod. She loved music and was eclectic in her tastes; loved The Blues but also kept up with new artists. Mom was a philanthropist, always concerned with human rights and the welfare of others, donating to charities and individuals in need, keeping current with politics, voicing her views, and making a difference through letters to officials and via the internet and Facebook.

Mom had said that she enjoyed every stage of her life, from childhood to young motherhood, to worklife, to grandparenting, to retirement. Mom was a loving, happy mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who instilled in us her strong moral compass. Mom was small but mighty. Dad had said mom was the most capable woman he had ever known and we couldn’t agree more. We all love her more than words can ever express.

Sylvia is survived by her children: Tony (Judy), Kay (Lew), Gareth (Carolyn), grandchildren: Karen Lindstrom, David (Brenna) Lindstrom, Robyn (Jeremy) Rodrigues, Cara MacLeod and Kevin Griffiths, and her great-grandchildren. Mom was pre-deceased by husband Kenneth Griffiths, daughter Teresa and son-in-law John Lindstrom, and her siblings.

Our sincere thanks to the staff of Langley Lodge Care Home who happily loved and cared for mom in her last 3.5 years and shared their great sadness at her passing. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.victoryfuneralcentre.ca. Donations in Sylvia’s memory can be made to Make-A-Wish Canada or a charity of one’s choice. A family service will be held at a later date.