SMITH, Sylvia Born in Dehradun, India on July 30, 1916, Sylvia died peacefully on May 16, 2008 in Victoria. She grew up on the tea and bamboo plantations that her father managed north of Calcutta; her summers were spent in the relative cool of the mountains at the Loreto Convent school in Shillong, where she learned to appreciate the arts, music and drama. She loved her life in India but to further her education, at the age of 15 Sylvia moved with her mother to England. Sadly, her father died before he could join them. She married the love of her life, Canadian soldier John Smith, in Birmingham in 1945, came to Canada on the Queen Mary, and settled in Vancouver where they had two daughters. The family moved to Dawson Creek in the early 60's, and made a final move to Victoria in 1965. Sylvia was an excellent stenographer, and was a valued employee wherever she worked. In addition she was a dedicated wife and mother, strong in difficult times, and lived her life with dignity and grace. Sylvia is predeceased by her husband, John Smith, and by her daughter, Susan Roop. She leaves her daughter Val (Greg) Windwick, grandsons Trevor and Darryl Windwick, grandson Colin (Pauline) Roop, great-granddaughter Madeleine Lan-Nhi Roop, grandson Mark Roop, and many dear friends. We will miss her smiling face. Special thanks to Dr. Wylie for taking such good care of Sylvia, and to the staff of Rose Manor and Beacon Community Services for making her final days as comfortable as they could be. A memorial in celebration of Sylvia's life will be announced at a later date. 469589