In Memory of

Sylvia

Vivian

Marie

Loe

Obituary for Sylvia Vivian Marie Loe

Sylvia Vivian Marie Loe (nee Chokan) passed away peacefully at age 83 with family and friends by her side on Saturday, May 5th 2018 at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon. Sylvia spent her last few months in hospital at both Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) and Winnipeg Health Sciences Center (HSC) during her brief battle with a rare lymphoma. She was predeceased by her parents Nick and Nellie Chokan, husband Bill Loe, brother and sister in law Ray and June Loe, and several aunts and uncles and close friends. Left to cherish her memory are: son Douglas (Marjory Phillips) Loe (Mississauga, ON), daughter Janice Loe (Brandon, MB); grandchildren Katharine Loe (Delft, The Netherlands), Alexander Loe (Kingston, ON), Lincoln Zentner (Brandon, MB) and Gina Zentner (Brandon, MB); nieces Marilyn (Larry) Okotinsky and Sandra (Arnie) Grocholski, and nephew Wayne (Laurie) Loe; aunt Annie Corman, along with many cousins, great nieces and nephews and lifelong trusted friends. Sylvia was born in The Pas, MB on November 2nd 1934. When Sylvia’s father died suddenly in 1945, she was supported thereafter not only by her mother, Nellie, but a strong family unit of Madrigga aunts/uncles/cousins. Following Normal School training in Winnipeg she returned to The Pas in 1952 and taught grade 2. It was while in The Pas that her mother introduced her to Bill and they were married in Flin Flon MB on July 4th 1959. They moved to Prince Albert SK where son Doug was born. A move to Brandon MB ensued shortly thereafter and this was where daughter Janice was born. Family and friends were always Sylvia’s primary focus and she and Bill raised their family in the Linden Lanes/Redeemer Lutheran Church neighborhood. Their home was often a neighbourhood hub for social gatherings. Sylvia and Bill moved to Dauphin MB in 1985, where many new friendships were fostered in the community, both through Sylvia’s years at Whitmore School and through her and Bill’s affiliation with Trinity Lutheran Church. When Bill passed away in 1997, Sylvia continued to live in their home on Tulip Crescent for a few years but returned to Brandon and the Linden Lanes neighbourhood in December 2001 to be closer to Janice’s family and to mother Nellie (who relocated at the same time to Fairview Home), and to many treasured friends (including the ‘Tea Ladies’). Sylvia’s hobbies were centered on family activities and on entertaining guests in her home, and more specifically, she enjoyed connecting with the Tea Ladies for an afternoon tea party to reflect on friendship and life experiences; many of the inner circle have left us, regrettably, but many of them visited with Sylvia frequently during her final days in hospital. She loved spoiling her grandchildren, and their pets, long after she no longer had pets of her own. Sylvia was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, and always in the non-judgmental compassionate way that defined her personality and her abiding relationships with family and friends. She was a loving and giving mother, grandmother, wife and friend, and we miss her dearly now and forever. The family would like to thank Dr. Fourie, Dr. Edward and the staff at the Assiniboine Centre, BRHC and HSC for their compassionate care and professionalism during Sylvia’s final days under their care. Special thanks to Elaine Butler, Joan Berry, Karen Benham and Dr. Melanie Meredith. The Memorial Service was held at Memories Chapel on Saturday, May 12, 2018 with Joe Ball officiating. Interment took place at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Sylvia may be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, 600-60 St. Clair Ave East, Toronto ON, M4T 1N5; www.crohnsandcolitis.ca or a charity of choice.