Sylvia passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love and support from many family and friends. She was born a Dutch citizen in Maracaibo, Venezuela where the Shell Oil company had stationed her father. She returned with her family to the Netherlands in 1964 living in the Hague and Rolde before attending college in Deventer. After graduating in 1980, she worked in Driebergen where she met her husband to be, John, while he was travelling from Canada to visit his sister. After a month-long vacation to Canada, she decided to move to Victoria, where she and John were married on April 8, 1983.
After working in various hotels around the city and running her own bed and breakfast, she transitioned to elder care, assisting seniors to age in place at home, work that she thoroughly enjoyed. Sylvia generously volunteered her time, whether at the school library, school board, community association or pet therapy group. She found her 9 years as a Hospice volunteer the most rewarding making many friends along the way. She was a long-time member of a book club also comprised of many dear friends.
Sylvia contracted leukemia in 2015 and, after treatment and a stem cell transplant, was granted what she called ‘bonus time’: 5 years of watching her sons flourish, the grandchildren grow, travelling to visit family, making trips in the motorcycle sidecar, and having lunch with friends. She was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and after a short struggle succumbed to the disease.
Sylvia is predeceased by her parents, Bob and Cor Ronteltap, and survived by John, her husband of 38 years, her sons Aaron (Elizabeth) and Ruben (Tori), her sister Ellen and brother Hans and her grandchildren Anders and Frances, whom she absolutely adored.
Many thanks to the family, friends and neighbours who provided encouragement and support through Sylvia’s illness. Her advice would be to live, love, be true to yourself, volunteer, meditate and enjoy life, because it can be short.
A funeral service is not possible at this time. Condolences, thoughts and memories may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Christ'l Dullaert
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Yvonne & Ed Reitsma Dear John, Aaron, Ruben and family,
We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Sylvia. I remember I would see her on walks at Beaver Lake. I remember her talking about being so excited to see grandson and to get to know him. A very warm, kind and caring person. So sorry that she again had to battle cancer for a second time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Patrick Vincentine Dear Family and Friends,
On behalf of the Maria Montessori Academy community, I offer my sincerest condolences.
Sylvia was a beloved part of a dynamic board that most notably, instigated our move to Gordon Head.
While I only had the privilege to work with Sylvia in a small capacity at that time…her passion, empathy and belief in the common good was infectious.
Now we are fortunate to have Miss Elizabeth as a staff member and Sylvia’s grandchildren as students.
Sylvia’s easy laugh lives on through them.
Mr. Patrick Vincentine
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Freek Berrier Dear John, Aaron, Ruben and family,
We were very sad to hear that Sylvia passed away. She was a wonderful woman, and we are so glad that we came to visit in 2013.
We wish you strength and wisdom to cope with this heavy loss.Lots of love, Joreel and Freek
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Brigitte McKenzie I am truly saddened to learn of Sylvia’s health struggles, and her recent death. I came to know Sylvia when she was a volunteer at Victoria Hospice, and I was senior manager of the volunteer department. We enjoyed numerous chats together. I was always happy to stop to talk about her latest involvements and activities in her life. She exuded a zest for life with her warm personality and quick smile and laugh. She was a regular volunteer on the unit at Hospice for a number of years, always conscientious, friendly, and capable in what she offered in her support and service to the patients and families at hospice. I learned more about Sylvia in reading her obituary. I am certain that her positive presence, kindness, and love of life will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. My sincere condolences to your family and circle of friends who are grieving her loss. May your memories of times shared with Sylvia be a comfort to you.
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marianne ronteltap-Weidema Dear John and familly,
My condolences with the loss of Sylvia. I only met her a few times, but I will remember her friendliness, her interest in otters and very special, the twinkling in her eyes. And the time my husband Bert and I were in Canada and stayed at yours: her hospitalitty.
I wish you all a lot of strength for the coming period.
Marianne Ronteltap-Weidema
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Tracy Olsen John, I was saddened to learn of Sylvia’s passing. My condolences to you and your family. She was a very special person and will be dearly missed by her loved ones.
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Walt & Judy Chamberlain John and family Judy and I were shocked to see that Sylvia had passed. This must have been quite a sudden diagnosis. I enjoyed the time we spent together while we dealt with Maria Meursing’s estate as well as the years previous.
Our sincere condolences.
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Ted Daly John, I was so sorry to read about your wife Sylvia’s passing. I know that I am unable to find any words to give you comfort at this time. I am so sorry John. May you be blessed with a heart full of wonderful memories, and I am so happy that you have children, in-laws and grandchildren to support you at this difficult time. She lives on through your children and grandchildren so she is always present. My deepest condolences John, to you and your family.
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Lucato Family Dear John and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Sylvia’s passing. We wish you and the family peace and our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this time.
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Bruce Williams John and family, I am saddened to hear of Sylvia’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences. She was such a wonderful, and caring person. My prayers are with you and your family.
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Courtney Hough What a lovely tribute to Sylvia, John. I feel so blessed to have had her briefly in my life. She’s taught me more than I can even put into words, and I’m so thankful. Sending all my love to the Post family.
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Shan O'Hara My heart felt condolences John. Although I only met Sylvia briefly,I know she was a great person as I recall you talking about her many times.
Thinking of you and your family and how hard it must be for you and your boys. May she rest in peace now.
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kay larsen I had the privilege of knowing Sylvia through her volunteer work at Victoria Hospice and after my retirement we would meet for coffee or lunch. Sylvia was a very caring and skilled volunteer. Along with her unit duties supporting patients, families, and the care team, she took on extra duties such as mentoring new volunteers and helping with a pilot projects. She was always helping with her knowledge and compassion.
Sylvia approached her own illness with courage and grace. Her fervent hope was to become a grandmother and she did so. She loved her time special days with her grandson.
I learned so much from Sylvia and I expect everyone who met her came away feeling a little bit better about themselves and the world. She touched many lives.
My heart is with the family at this sad time.
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Lynda MacTavish Sylvia was one of our most prized volunteers at Victoria Hospice and it was my pleasure to know her. She was such a caring and committed volunteer and it was a joy to work with her.
I know how much she loved her family and I send my deepest condolences to them. She was such a kind, caring lady. The world was a better place because of her.
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Barbara Giuliany My condolences to all Sylvia’s family and friends. She was an amazing friend, considerate caregiver, wonderful mother. I will miss her sense of humour, the twinkle in her eyes and impish grin. I’ll miss her shoulder to cry on, sage advice, and her example of grace and strength in the face of adversity. I know she was ready to move on, and I am glad that she’s at peace, but she has left a big hole in the lives of those she’s left behind. I miss you, friend.
Dear John, Aaron, Ruben, Hans, Ellen and family
I was truly shocked when Hans informed me that Sylvia was seriously ill. Sylvia I became friends when attending college in Deventer/ the Netherlands. We had a lot of fun and spent for example a summer hitchhiking in Schotland (we told our parents about the hitchhiking upon our – safe- return). As a student, she could really party. We lost contact a bit since our lives where in separate areas (and I have moved quite a bit).
Dear John it must be very hard on you to lose Sylvia after so many happy marriage years and at a much too young age. I told Hans that it must have been a great gift that she became a grandmother during those ‘bonus’years. I hope you will find solace in the memories of Sylvia and her life.