Obituary of Sybil Louisa Thompson

Passed away peacefully at Bluewater Health Services in Sarnia, with family members at her side, on Saturday October 17, 2015. Loving mother to Caroline (Dale) and Bill (Louise). Grandmother to Jay (Abbie), Leslie (Graham), Bradley (Caralea), Gregg, Ian (Naomi) and Erin (Matthew). Great grandmother to Hannah, Ross, Calum, Jasper and Sophia. Predeceased by her husband Robert, brothers Leonard, and Reginald, and sister Ethel. Sybil was born on October 15, 1921 in London England, the last of 4 children to Lewis and Louisa Lacey. Her father was an Inspector with the London Metropolitan Police. When she lost her mother at the age of 17, she took over the running of the household. She and her father endured the blitz of London and challenges of wartime rationing. As a young woman, she decided to “do her bit” and joined the Women’s Land Army doing everything from operating farm equipment to picking potatoes. As with all the young ladies at that time, she enjoyed the weekend dances, when at one, she met Robert Thompson, a Canadian soldier, whom she later married in Hastings. In 1945 she and her wee daughter Caroline embarked on a troop ship for Canada and a whole new life in rural Quebec. Upon Robert’s return from Europe, they settled down to get on with building their lives together, which included the arrival of their son, Bill, in 1947. Sybil grew to be a very good gardener and seamstress. Over the years she fashioned most of her own clothing as well as many graduation and wedding dresses for friends and family. She was widowed in 1974 and a whole new chapter began. Over the next 20 years she was able to return to England for many visits and re-established contact with family members still there. She also travelled to and lived in California with Caroline’s family for a period of time. She then became a winter fixture in the front office of a Fort Myers Florida motel that was owned by friends. Every spring she and her small dog would make the trip north to spend summers with Bill’s family in Bracebridge. When the cool weather came along off she would go to Florida again. She finally decided in 1995, at the age of 74, that these trips were too hard to keep doing, so she settled in Bracebridge in a riverside apartment. She decided to relocate again when Bill’s job required a move that resulted in her coming to Forest. Here she settled into an apartment and got on with meeting new people, joining the Anglican Church and starting volunteer work at North Lambton Lodge. Her reputation as a seamstress became known and she was soon sought out. She continued to travel to England and to Caroline’s home in British Columbia as frequently as possible. It was only a couple of years ago that she had to slow down somewhat, following knee replacement surgery. Even after that she was loath to be seen using a cane. In May 2015 she received the news of her illness. But typical of Sybil, she took it in her stride and got on with life as best she could. She only had a couple of “bad weeks” before her battle ended and she received her much deserved reward. She will truly be missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Visitation will take place at Christ Church Anglican on Saturday October 31st from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. A Funeral Service to follow at 1:30 PM at Christ Church Anglican. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. For those who wish, in memoriam donations to the Christ Church Accessibility Fund or the World Wildlife Fund would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at www.denning.ca Funeral arrangements entrusted to Denning’s of Forest