SYLVIA JEAN DI COSIMO

Condolences & Memories (19 entries)

• Dear Raphael, I am so very sorry to hear of your Mums passing. What an amazing person. If only there were more people like her in this world. My deepest sympathy. - Posted by: Janis Koolmatrie (friend from australia) on: Jan 01, 2016

• Hi Raphael. I have only just heard the news of your mother's passing. I am just so sorry that she is gone. I will miss her yearly visits to Australia. If you ever get down this way please look me up - Lorie x - Posted by: Lorie Zullo (friend) on: Jan 28, 2015

• My condolences. Your mother remained a strong influence on my mind as a young person. Fierce, strong, and intelligent! Prayers to you my friend. - Posted by: Derek Spence (Cadet friend of Raphael) on: Jan 08, 2015

• What a wonderful tribute to s smart and interesting person! "...spontaneous, strong, and independent" perfectly describe the Sylvia that I knew from the book club. She always had something to contribute, on or off topic (we, as a group often stray!). She will be sorely missed. Condolences to her family and friends. Kathy - Posted by: Kathy Pratt (mystery book club member) on: Nov 08, 2014

• I met Sylvia 40 years ago at a party in Brisbane. She was holding forth from a mat on the floor after a sky diving demise which hurt her back. I took her under my wing and showed her all the fun places to go in Brissy at the time. We have been friends and surrogate Aussie family since. I will really miss all of our long chats and fun together. Raphael I am so sorry for your loss and will continue the "family" connection in Brisbane whenever you need us. With love Viv and Steve - Posted by: Vivien Taylor (Friend from Aust) on: Oct 20, 2014

• Dear Sylvia, May your heart rest in peach on the rainbow of eternity. I will always have the fondest memories of you. I will never forget the first time i visited the apartment in Maroochydore. You and Raphael on that day become a part of our family forever. You will always hold a special place in my heart. Dear Raph, Not a day goes past that I don't think of you. May time heal your pain and may one day soon I get to see your beautiful smile again. From afar sending you my love. Yours truly Ebony With deepest sympathy from your Australian family Sue, Pierre, Ebony, Matt and Chris - Posted by: Ebony Russell (Friends from Australia) on: Oct 16, 2014

• Sylvia was a loyal member of the club and served as the secretary, sorry to hear at this late date. Our condolences to the family and friends - Posted by: rick strauss (river heights lawn bowling club president) on: Oct 04, 2014

• Dear Raphael. - Although I haven't seen you since your mother brought you to Aldergrove on your first visit to Canada, she always talked about you - she was so proud of everything you did. We've known each other since we were about four years old as we were neighbours on Spence Street. We did early grade school together and through the years kept in touch. My family was transferred to PEI and on our return when I was 13, I still remember calling the Chicken In and Sylvia answered the phone – it was like time had stood still. We kept in touch not only with each other but I visited your Grandmother’s home on Goulding Street – I always loved the picture of the cockatoos. Sylvia visited my parents as well and to this day, my mother still remembers Sylvia- although she has Alzheimer’s, old memories are her favourite and more vivid. Then when I got married, Sylvia was my maid of honour. When our first daughter came, your Grandmother came to the christening as our daughter was named Angela after her and Sylvia was her godmother. She loved that role and always arrived with a big smack of a kiss. When Rudy was transferred to Europe Sylvia worked in one of her trips to visit us and once we came back to Canada, she visited whenever she was coming through to go to Australia. Your dad came along on one of those visits and he and Rudy hit it off like old friends. Since then, we managed one trip to Australia to see her and she always called, usually out of the blue, just to talk. We would be on the phone for hours. I considered Sylvia more of a sister than a friend and I have many memorable memories of our time. Rudy and I were shocked and saddened to hear the news of her passing as we always thought she would leave this world when she was off on one of her travels – she did lead an exciting life. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time and please keep in touch – I know that’s what your mother would have wanted. - Posted by: Linda and Rudy Faessler (Close Friends - Like Family) on: Oct 03, 2014

• we have known Sylvia Phil Raphael for many years unfortunately we lost touch we have had many great diners and wonderful times with family we will always remember that and sylvia sorry for your loss we would love to hear from Raphael email us gelt@mts.net LOVE YOU ! ! RUTH STEW - Posted by: Ruth Lavitt Stu Lavitt (Friends) on: Sep 29, 2014

• Raphael- I am so so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was a vibrant woman with a heart of gold and we will miss her very much. Sylvia knew my mom Linda and her family for many years as the two were best friends since grade school. Sylvia was in mom and dad's wedding party and later, when I was born, was named my godmother - my fairy godmother I always used to say, as she would pop in from time to time on her travels and always was interested in what I was doing. That never changed and on my 40th birthday she gave me a gift of a unique chain and pendant that I still wear every day. Although she didn't see us often, she kept in touch via email, long phone conversations and visits and we always enjoyed hearing from her. You were her pride and joy and she was so very proud of everything you did - rightly so, you grew into a beautiful woman. My namesake is from your grama, my love for travel, zest for life and just a little adventure influenced by your mom. The world is short one beautiful person. As an angel she will be looking down and watching over all of us. Please let us know if there is anything we can do and when the interment ceremony will be. God Bless....Angela - Posted by: Angela, Pete and Kris Wonitowy (Goddaughter) on: Sep 29, 2014

• So sorry to hear of her loss. I will always remember her visits with our family and the stories that my mom has shared of their time growing up. She was a strong woman and will be missed. - Posted by: Karen Baxter (Daughter of long time friend Lauraine Baxter) on: Sep 29, 2014

• So sorry to hear of Aunty Sylvia's passing. Know that our thoughts are with you in this very sad time. We are traveling in Europe when we heard and hope to see you Raphael when next you visit. Enjoyed talking with Aunty about her many teaching experiences in Australia and comparing them with my own. - Posted by: Philip and Cynthia Watson (Nephew) on: Sep 29, 2014

• So sorry to hear about your mom, Raphael. I am thinking about you and know that you are a strong person. Hugs, thoughts and prayers sent your way from me to you. - Posted by: Nadine Fetherston (High school friend of Raphael) on: Sep 28, 2014

• Sorry to hear of the passing of my auntie. We were not close but we are family. We will grieve with my mom Kathleen Watson Sylvia older sister - Posted by: Garth Watson (Auntie) on: Sep 28, 2014

• Dear Sylvia: I’m so glad that we were able to have a good visit when I came to Winnipeg in May. I will miss our phone calls and e-mails and I will really miss you when I do visit in the Peg. It just won’t be the same. Gone but not forgotten. Nancy & Don - Posted by: Don and Nancy Lewis (Friend) on: Sep 27, 2014

• I had known Sylvia for over 50 years. I first met her when she was working at the restaurant on Main Street. She and I became good friends and I spent a lot of time at the DiCosimo house on Goulding. I knew her brother Phil and Raphael. I was very fond of Sylvia and will miss her terribly. - Posted by: Aubrey (Chick) Dvorchik (long time friend) on: Sep 27, 2014

• Sylvia and Raphael were good neighbors of mine when I first moved to my house on Goulding St. She always had time to say hello and share a few words. Even after she left to move to her River Heights home she would call just to chat and see how things were going on Goulding and to ask for advice on one of her many projects. Even while in Australia there was a regular steam of emails. She will be missed, and so will the phone calls. My condolences Raphael, don't be affraid to ask for help if you need it. Martial - Posted by: Martial Roy (neighbor & friend. ) on: Sep 27, 2014

• Very sorry to hear of the loss of your mom Raphael. Thinking of you during this difficult time. - Posted by: Christie Golebiowski (High School Friend of Raphael) on: Sep 27, 2014

• I first met Sylvia while we were at Teachers Collage at age 18. I'd heard of her long before that as we were both West Enders. We hung out together over the years and she stayed with us in Quebec, Ontario and here in Vancouver, especially enroute to Oz. In fact I remember her telling me she really wanted a child, husband or not. So Raphael was a joy! I am sorry to hear she was ill and relieved that it wasn't for very long. Raphael, I know you are a capable young woman and will handle your mom's passing, but it is sad to lose a link to your old home and your mom. Please call me any time you are in Vancouver. love, Terry XO - Posted by: TERRY (BROWNRIGG) ALEXANDER (LONG STANDING FRIEND) on: Sep 27, 2014