Sylvia Rebalkin

February 4, 1931 - September 21, 2019
It is with deep sadness that the family of Sylvia announces her passing.Sylvia was born in Smithers, B.C, to Thomas and Violet Brandon. She resided there until 1949 when she moved to Victoria to attend the then
Victoria Normal School to obtain her Teachers certificate. In 1951 she accepted a teaching posting to Pass Creek, B.C. (West Kootenay area) and it was there that she met her husband to be George Rebalkin. Married in 1952, they had two children, daughter Margaret born in 1953 and son Steve in 1956. As George was a carpenter working in construction, for several years life was busy moving from job to job, primarily on Vancouver
Island, while raising their young children. In 1960, the family returned to Thrums in the West Kootenays, where they lived in the basement of their home while it was being fully constructed around them.
Sylvia taught school for only two years, devoting her life to managing the home and raising the children. She took pride in and enjoyed her excellent gardens on their property along the Kootenay river. Together with her husband she enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards and socializing with their many friends and neighbors. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter, with many of her works now enjoyed by her children and
grandchildren. Sylvia was friendly and hard working and enjoyed hosting the children, grandchildren and others as they visited, often for extended periods of time. She ensured that all were well fed and cared for.
Sylvia and George enjoyed travels to Hawaii, Las Vegas and other places, as well as visiting their children and grandchildren in Vancouver, Victoria,Fernie and Kelowna and they were regulars at Tim Hortons for many years. Through all their years, they poured out their lives into raising their children Margaret and Steve to adulthood and then into encouraging the grandchildren.
In 1996 Sylvia and George left Thrums and relocated to Stellar Place, in Castlegar, where they were active participants in the life of the townhouse development for many years. In 2017 George passed away and Sylvia remained in Castlegar until the fall of 2018 when she moved to Victoria. Sylvia battled cancer for ten years, enduring many operations and treatments with courage and a selfless, positive attitude. She understood the meaning of her life, possessing a confident belief in God and in Hispurposes in our lives.
She is survived by her son Steve, daughter Margaret (Cecil), five grandchildren - Aaron (Kheysil), Krystal, Nathan (Alana), Adam (Monica) and David (Dakota) and four great grandchildren - Connor, Aria,Bowden
and Oliver. She was predeceased by her husband George, her parents, her
brother Richard and her daughter in law Angela.
Sylvia's family wish to express a heartfelt thank you to relatives and friends for their words and deeds of comfort during this time. Thank you to Trinity Christian Church for being a spiritual home and for counsel and guidance.
Thank you also to Highgate Lodge in Victoria for their supportive and loving community. And finally, thank you to Victoria Hospice Society for their considerate care given to Sylvia and to the family.
A celebration of Sylvia's life will be held in Castlegar in the Spring, at a date and location to be determined. On October 19, at 1 pm a celebration of life will be held at Trinity Christian Church in Victoria.
May she rest in God's peace.