We Remember

CAMERON, Sylvia Eileen (née Yurkiw)

February 3, 1929 — August 21, 2022

Sylvia was born February 3, 1929, near Norquay, SK, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 21, 2022, at Kelowna General Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband Alan; daughter Lynne; brothers Lawrence, Victor, Murray, Nestor, and Modest; and sisters Sandra, Anne, and Martha. She leaves behind sons Jim (Sonja), Rick (Susan), Dan (Yuping), Tom (Kelcey), Ken (Marilyn), and daughter Ellen Voth; 16 grandchildren;  ten great-grandchildren; as well as her brother Ed and sister Jeanne.

Mom married our Dad in 1955 and took his first three children as her own after his first wife Mary (née Cross) passed away in 1954.  A busy household right from the start, they started life together in Victoria, then ran the Sears Catalogue outlet in Osoyoos for several years. They finally settled in Kelowna when they both started work at Simpson Sears in the newly opened Orchard Park Mall.

Along with being a mother to seven, Mom began her career with Saskatchewan Telephone Co, then Shop Easy in Victoria, and finally retired in 1994 from Sears, mostly in the catalog department. She made many long-time friends from Sears and various clubs she and our Dad were involved with, along with special neighbours everywhere they lived.

She had many hobbies over the years including oil and acrylic painting and china decorating. She sewed some wonderful costumes for Halloween, tree skirts and stockings, and her kids and grandkids all had a blanket, afghan, or sweater knitted especially for them. She and Dad always had a large garden and would spend hours tending to it. Mom enjoyed entertaining and ‘making things special’ whenever she could, and she was the first one to speak up and invite someone for Christmas dinner who may be solo otherwise

Mom always kept busy in retirement, even working for a friend’s art gallery a couple of times a week. She was proud of and always loved to see her grandchildren. She and Dad made many trips, doing ‘the loop’ through Alberta to visit everyone annually until it was too hard for them to do so. They were fortunate to have visited the Oregon and California coast, the East Coast of Canada, Europe, and of course Vancouver Island and Saskatchewan as often as they could. As Mom slowed down, she still enjoyed visits from everyone, regular shopping and lunch dates out, the occasional visit to the Casino, and faithfully watched curling and her Blue Jays.

A graveside service will be held with the family at Sylvia’s request. We wish to thank the doctors, nurses, and many support staff on 4B at KGH for their wonderful care and kindness during uncertain times, as well as staff from Home Instead for helping her maintain her independence for as long as she could bear.

Those who wish may donate to a plaque for the Wall of Remembrance at Kelowna General Hospital.

‘Go with Dad and rise again in the voices of your children. We miss you, Mom.’

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

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Wall of Remembrance at Kelowna General Hospital Link: www.bit.ly/s-cameron

 


 


Condolences

  • Kim Fuoco says:

    It was a joy to get to know Sylvia these past few years. Always brought a smile to my heart!

  • Sheri Keller says:

    My mom Joy Stone worked at Sears many years with Sylvia. She spoke very highly of her. She thought of her as a good friend. I would like to think that Sylvia and Joy are setting up their own catalogue sales in heaven. Take care.
    Sheri (Stone) Keller

  • Bev & Dave Thomas says:

    We got to know Sylvia through Allan at Royal Trust. Later we got to spend time with this lovely lady when we all helped
    out a Hambleton Gallery. What a sweet natured, fun person to spend time with. She was always so welcoming.

  • Kathy Richards says:

    Very sad to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have many good memories of our families visits. Alan’s chuckles , politics strongly debated. Sylvia and Jeannie searching for asparagus in the Belgo . Also first time we ever tried pierogis was when Sylvia served them. I’m glad we had a couple visits and good conversation which I very much enjoyed. Her flower paintings are lovely.
    All the Best to all of you

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