April 10, 1932 – November 28, 2016
It is no surprise that Sylvia survived the love of her life Frank Player (http://bit.ly/2gqL7WW) for a mere four months. Sylvia slipped away peacefully the evening of November 28 at Glenwarren Lodge in Victoria. Sylvia lived at Glenwarren for the last two months of her life returning to her birthplace, Victoria and Fernwood, the neighbourhood where she grew up and graduated from Vic High. As a young girl, Sylvia sang, danced and acted, eventually gaining roles in several movies filmed in Victoria during the 1930s (most notably, “Woman Against the World” a 1937 American picture directed by David Selman starring Alice Moore, Edgar Edwards, Ralph Forbes and Sylvia Welsh). Sylvia completed Normal School (where Camosun College is today) and taught school in Victoria, Bamfield and Goose Bay, Labrador. Sylvia met Frank at a dance on her 16th birthday where they fell in love and never looked back. They were married on December 5, 1953 and were posted to North Bay, Ontario. Frank’s career in the RCAF also took them to Trenton and Ottawa in Ontario, Goose Bay, Labrador and eventually Comox, BC. When Frank joined the Canadian Coast Guard they moved to Ucluelet where they lived for 34 years. In 2011 they moved to Ladysmith due to Sylvia’s ill health. Sylvia was a vibrant, glamorous and multi-talented woman. She was an amazing chef bravely tackling complicated recipes and feeding anyone who came to her table with spectacular meals. She was a skilled seamstress, knitter and milliner. She loved board games and entertaining guests. Sylvia was a member of the local Arts Council in Ucluelet and a volunteer facilitator for the Restorative Justice program working with victims, offenders and the RCMP. Not only would Sylvia feed you, if you needed a place to stay, Sylvia would welcome you into her home. She had a generous heart, a great sense of humour and loved to laugh. Sumptuous meals led to conversations that lasted well into the night. Her grandchildren described their favourite memories of their grandma as “sitting around the table eating, talking and playing games, helping her prepare elaborate desserts, and when they were young, bubble baths in the sunken tub. Sylvia was pre-deceased by her husband Frank Player, her parents Agnes Welsh (nee Stirling) and Frederick S Welsh, her siblings Frederick Welsh and Margaret Mulcaster. She is survived by her children Cindy Player (Lorna McRae), Tim Player (Donna Player), her grandchildren Jack, David and Nicole and her nieces and nephews (great and grand!). Respecting her wishes, Sylvia was cremated and there will be no service. Sadly, Sylvia’s last 15 years brought ongoing diminishment of her skills, interests and memory. She retained some things longer than others: her sense of humour, politeness and the persona of a child star! Frank was a loving and skilled caregiver. Our family is very appreciative of the Home Support Program in Ladysmith, the nursing staff in the Cowichan Hospital and the caring staff at Glenwarren Lodge. Should you wish to make a donation in honour of Sylvia, please give to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. Online condolences may be offered at sandsvictoria.ca