Sylvia Henault

She will be lovingly remembered by her children Raymond (Loraine), Douglas (Alison), Marc (Pam); grandchildren Rick (Sandra), Mike (Alyssa), Louise (Wanda), Daniel, Lisa, Justis, Nolan, Charlotte (Manny), Crystal (John), and Cindy; great grandchildren Isabel, Nick, Amber, Daniel and Matthew; great-great grandchildren Madison and Damien; and, her many friends and extended family.

Sylvia was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, Roland, in 2013, and her third son Gary in 2015.

Born in Sussex England, Sylvia came to Canada with her family in the 1930s, settling in Winnipeg, MB. She graduated from Kelvin High School, and chose to support the Canadian Second World War effort by joining the Navy at HMCS Chippewa in Winnipeg as a member of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS or “Wrens”) in September 1944. She served mainly at HMCS Bytown and HMCS Carleton in Ottawa throughout her service, demobilizing at HMCS Chippewa in February 1946. For her service, she was proudly awarded the War Service Medal.

Sylvia was an excellent seamstress, an avid walker, and the pillar of strength for her family. She was also Roland’s best co-pilot and navigator, and was a common sight at the Lyncrest Airport in Winnipeg and Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona during the winter months. She will be sorely missed by all who knew this kind, loving and gentle lady.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Sylvia at the Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home in the late spring of 2020, where she will be interred with her pre-deceased husband Roland and son Gary.

Donations in Sylvia’s memory can be made to the CNIB Foundation.