SYLVIA NEWIS (BENNETT-TEDHAM / ASH)

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SYLVIA NEWIS (nee BENNETT-TEDHAM / ASH) After a determined battle with cancer, Sylvia passed from our lives, in her home surrounded by family, on May 15, 2006. She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter Marlis Steinke (James), her son Bennett Merke (Marni); grandchildren Eric Lokstet, Timothy Lokstet, Nicholas Lokstet, Rowan Steinke, and Tristan Merke; her sisters Iris Zimmerman (Bob Johnson) and Barbara Hamm, her faithful companion - Fred, her many nieces and nephews and multitudes of friends who were a wealth of love through her lifetime. Born in Tisdale, SK on June 16, 1939, Sylvia moved with her mother and sisters to Flin Flon, MB in the early 1940s. Sylvia made many lasting friendships and returned to Flin Flon for many of the Hapnot High reunions. She left Flin Flon in 1955 to attend business college in Saskatoon, SK and after a few years moved to Winnipeg. Sylvia worked steadily for various law firms in Winnipeg, most recently at Swystun Company. Sylvia was an active volunteer throughout her life giving time at the King Edward Hospital and working as a canvasser for various charities in Winnipeg. Her largest commitment was to the Riverside Lions and as a founding member of the Riverside Lioness Club. Sylvia will be remembered by her friends and family for her love of life, sense of fun, her loyalty, her giving heart and abiding love. She was generous of her time and abilities where possible and whenever called upon. The family is grateful to have had the support of Cancer Care Manitoba and the Palliative Care Program. Special thank you's are extended to Dr. Grenier and the chemotherapy nurses. You were beacons of truth and kindness much appreciated by Sylvia. Your honesty and thoughtfulness made a stressful time easier to handle. Thank you also to Dr. Daeninck and the staff at the Pain and Symptom Clinic, Luz Allard, and nurse Marie, you made her wish to be home possible. The family would also like to thank June and Karol for helping us get Mom to her treatments and all the friends who supported her in so many varying ways through her illness. Sylvia is dearly loved and will be sorely missed. A Celebration of Sylvia's life will be held at St. Bartholomew Anglican Church, 881 Autumnwood, Winnipeg, on Friday, May 19th at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Osborne Women's Shelter or Jocelyn House in Winnipeg. To Those I Love And Those Who Loved When I am gone, release me, let me go... I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears; Be happy that we had so many years. I gave to you my love, you can only guess How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it's time I travelled on alone. So grieve a while for me if grieve you must; Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for a while that we must part, So bless the memories within your heart. I won't be far away, for life goes on; So if you need me, call and I will come, Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear, All of my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone. I'll greet you with a smile and say, "welcome home".

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2006