Obituary of Sylvia Drew

DREW - Sylvia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 at Manitoulin Lodge in her 93rd year. Survived by her daughter Judy (Terry) Land, granddaughters Caroline and Mary (Scott McCarter), daughter in law Tess Leblanc and sister in law Jane (Drew) Curtis. Predeceased by her husband Bernard (January 13, 2017), son Maurice (1992) and her parents Maurice and Beth (Hayward) Smith. Sylvia was born July 20, 1925 in Salem, Massachusetts. She attended Oliver Ames High School in Easton, Mass. and then Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947. She taught school, worked in an insurance office, and during the war years worked in the summers at a rubber factory. Sylvia met her future husband, Bernard Addison Drew at a summer church youth group in Georgeville, Quebec. On June 30, 1951, she married Bernard and they made the Packard Family farm their home for over 60 years, moving to Gore Bay in the fall of 2012. Sylvia was devoted to her family, and worked hard to provide them with a love of reading, nature, cooking and hospitality. Many hours were spent driving the children to and from their local high school, so they could participate in after school sports and clubs. More recently, many summer evenings were spent on the porch at the Hemlocks playing card games, doing crosswords and engaging the granddaughters in family history. She worked hard on the farm supporting her husband in his many endeavors, and on any summer day could be found processing garden produce for the winter months ahead. Sylvia was a member of the United Church of Canada, United Church Women in Georgeville, and the Historical Society of Georgeville, where she gave a talk on the development of lakeshore properties as a result of Americans seeking a more pastoral life. Although the move to Gore Bay was difficult, she developed new friendships. Here, she has been supported by a team of many wonderful helpers, allowing her to remain in her home until just recently. For that, she was very thankful. A celebration of Sylvia's life will be held at the SIMPSON FUNERAL HOME on Monday April 2, 2018 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lyon's Memorial United Church or the Pet Save - Manitoulin as expressions of sympathy and may be made through www.simpsonfuneralhome.ca