Obituary of Sylvia Marie McGeein (nee Aziz)
Peacefully in her 87th year of life, Sylvia passed away at Bradford Valley Care Community in Bradford, Ontario. Affectionately known as “Sibby”, Sylvia was a wonderful wife to the late Donald. L. McGeein (1930-1996), and is survived by her children and will be dearly missed by Nancy MacLachlan, Patti and Paul Dineen and grandchildren Josie and Lauren MacLachlan, Matthew, Hannah and Meagan Dineen.
Sylvia is predeceased by her husband Don, her brothers Victor (Florine) Aziz, Fred Aziz and Mitchell (Barb) Aziz, and Leona (John) Larson and Ken (Sue) McGeein. We are sure she is welcomed to heaven with the open arms of Don, and her dear friends Al and Greta Walsh, happy their bridge foursome is once again complete.
She is survived by her sister- in-law Gladys Aziz of Montreal. She will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Sibby will also be dearly missed by extended family members in Canada, USA and Lebanon.
Sylvia had an outstanding teaching career beginning in Sarnia, where she met Don, and extensively for the London Board of Education where she touched the lives of children and colleagues alike, teaching primary children and leading many choirs along the way. Post teaching she had another wonderful career at Merrymount Children’s Center in London, caring for babies and toddlers and making life long lasting friendships with peers.
Sylvia was a long time proud member of St. Jude’s Anglican Church in London. She was involved, devoted and truly exemplified the meaning of a faithful person. When she moved to Newmarket to live with family, her Church and her “lunch bunch” were so difficult to leave but Sylvia stayed dear in the hearts of many of her St. Jude’s family.
Sitty Sibby is fondly remembered as the number one fan to her grandchildren for all their various activities in which they were involved. She was always cheering them on, be it at the rink, the gymnasium, the pitch, the ball diamond, the art gallery, their school auditoriums through musical and theatrical endeavours, or simply praising their every ambition. They give her thanks for teaching them “how to play”, create, be resourceful, shuffle the deck, win at Rumoli, and how to play poker, among many other things.
Sibby’s kind ways, positive outlook and friendly nature served her well within her business life with Don, within her spiritual life which never failed her, and within her family life, which prevailed as her most important reason for being, right to the end.
When greater care was needed she moved into Bradford Valley Care Community where staff tenderly cared for her for the last 8 years. Sylvia’s family thanks all the staff at Bradford Valley; especially all the many people who have worked on Simcoe House during her time there. They especially want to mention those that are working diligently and selflessly through the pandemic. It has been exhaustively difficult for these amazing and tireless “angels on earth”. We could not have done it without you. Thank you for keeping mom safe and free of Covid 19.
She will be missed by so many; family members, fellow parishioners, former students, and of course the many many friends she made along the way. She truly was a bright light to so many!
Once allowed, in post pandemic times, there will be a Celebration of Sylvia’s life in London, Ontario, at St. Jude’s Anglican Church at a future date. Cremation has taken place, and she is in the good care of Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford, Ontario.
Donations in Sylvia’s memory may be made to Merrymount Children’s Center or St. Jude’s Anglican Church of London, or Bradford Valley Care Community in Bradford, would be greatly appreciated.