Sylvia de Leyssac
(1925-2021)
With sadness we announce the death of Sylvia de Leyssac. Sylvia was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but soon afterward her parents, John and Lucile McCaslin, moved back to Canada, where she grew up and spent her adult life. Sylvia had a long career as a school teacher, moving to the little town of Ernfold, Saskatchewan, for her first job. Later she taught at Regina, where she advanced to the position of a vice principal. She loved art and drama, and students of that era will remember the operettas that “Miss McCaslin” organized and directed. A couple of years after marrying André de Leyssac, she moved to Calgary, and later to Moose Jaw, where she taught for many years. Many of her former students in Moose Jaw will remember her as “Madame de Leyssac,” who taught French and Art at several Moose Jaw schools. Even after retiring, she continued teaching English as a Second Language courses for a few years at the local community college, in order to help newcomers to Canada. Sylvia enjoyed dancing, drama, and art. In her early life, she especially enjoyed the summertime study of drama at the Banff School of Fine Arts, and the study of art at Emma Lake, Saskatchewan, taught by well- known artists of the time. She continued her love of art after retirement, painting many beautiful landscapes in vibrant colours using acrylic paint. Sylvia also loved the outdoors. While living in Calgary, she frequently enjoyed visiting Banff, Bowness park, Happy Valley, and the Calgary Zoo with her husband and young son, Arthur. After returning to Moose Jaw, she enjoyed bicycling with her son and swimming with him in Buffalo Pound Lake, by the cabin that her parents built. She also had many occasions to visit her brother John and his family at Edmonton, and her sister Valeta and her family at Phoenix, visiting the local attractions and scenery along the way. Her kindness, consideration, and enthusiasm endeared her to the hearts of those who knew her. She lived a long and fulfilling life of 95 years. In the last month she was unable to walk or do the things she loved, though she was able to talk by phone to her family and friends every day, right until her last day. Her family knows that she loved them always. She will be fondly remembered by her son Arthur, his wife Svetlana, and their children Diana and Alexander, as well as by her beloved siblings: her sister Valeta Fife and brother John McCaslin, and by their families. Memorial donations can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 15 Westpark Dr, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 8A7. In living memory of Sylvia memorial planting will be made by Jones - Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries). Blake Seebach- Funeral Director
