It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia Valerie Stephanson on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
Sylvia was born in Frontier, Saskatchewan, on August 23, 1938, the 10th of 14 children of Magnus and Mary Stephanson (nee Shirley).
Sylvia started work with the Provincial Department of Social Services at the age of 18. After 30 years of service, she was provided with a generous package from the government to retire from her position of Office Manager at the age of 48. She then spent a number of years travelling to various countries; China, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, and Iceland (being the ones we can remember).
Predeceased by her parents, 7 brothers and 4 sisters and their spouses, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, she is survived by sisters Sharon Grant and Karen Ireland and brother-in-law Herb Smith as well as three generations of nieces and nephews numbering over 100 and a few cousins.
Sylvia spent 13 years helping to support her mother and younger siblings. After the death of her mother, Sylvia led a very independent life while still helping out her siblings and their families whenever she could. After purchasing her home in 1984, she spent a lot of time in her garden and flower beds, down on her hands and knees pulling weeds right up to the summer of 2023 when she decided it would be easier to hire someone for that.
Sylvia spent many hours at the rinks watching nephews play hockey and the ball fields in the summer. She assisted in the entrance booth at the Millers ball games and saved the extra score sheets from the programs so she could keep score while she watched every Blue Jays game on TV. While she never made it to Toronto to take in a game, she did see the Jays in Regina when they played Team Canada and in Minneapolis when they played the Twins.
Sylvia was the record keeper for the family, ensuring contact with all siblings who were spread across Canada. She organized family reunions and started the research and upkeep of the family tree. As well as all the self-imposed family duties, she was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1971 and was a member of the Scandinavian Club of Moose Jaw, serving as the President for the last number of years.
A Celebration of Sylvia’s Life will be held in Salon B (Main Floor) at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa on June 1, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
