It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia Marie Dixon. She passed away peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Royal Columbian Hospital with her family by her side.
Sylvia (nee Lavigne) was born on May 31, 1933, in Meota, Saskatchewan. In 1941, her family then moved to Burnaby, BC, where her dad owned and operated Lavigne’s Engine Rebuilders on Kingsway. She grew up in the Lower Mainland, eventually settling in Coquitlam after having married her husband, Ralph Dixon. Together they raised two children - Cathy and Len. Sylvia once again entered the work force working at St. Thomas More for over 25 years. She so enjoyed handing out late slips and making connections with the staff and students. During this time, Sylvia became a grandmother five times over. She adored her grandchildren and was very proud of them. In her years of retirement, Sylvia enjoyed travelling, being together with family and friends, and golf. She was very proud of her accomplishments in this sport and looked forward to every Tuesday and Thursday morning as she headed out to Poppy Estates in Langley. Friends were very important to Sylvia. For many years she met with a group of ladies self-titled, “The Stitch and Bitch.” Together, this special group of ladies supported each other throughout most of their lives. After moving from her beautifully decorated condo in New Westminster, Sylvia moved to Thornebridge Gardens. She was so lucky to have her best friend there of 70 years, Anna Smith. Together they participated in the various activities offered by the home. They joked how they would pretend they were on a cruise ship.
Sylvia leaves behind cherished memories, her loving children - Cathy (George) Piva and Len (Teresa) Dixon, five wonderful grandchildren - Matthew (Casimir), Alyssa (Krystian), Daniel (Tracy), Jenny, Adam, her sister in Ottawa, Marg (Fred) Boeckler, and her brother, Lou (Joy) Lavigne. She is predeceased by her loving mother, Edna Lavigne, her father, Omer Lavigne, her brother, Adrian Lavigne, and her husband, gone too soon, Ralph Dixon.
A huge thank you to the emergency room nurses and doctors at Royal Columbian Hospital, especially Nurse Raymond, Nurse Jeff, and the Respiratory Therapist, Laura. Also thank you to the hardworking and positive nurses on 4 North, and on 6 North. You truly are angels on Earth! Lastly, and very importantly, we would like to thank the excellent staff at Thornebridge Gardens, where mom spent the last four years of her life. Thank you for all you have done during these challenging years.
Funeral Services will be held this Monday, August 1 at noon. Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Church - 330 Royal Ave., New Westminster. There will be a reception to follow.
Burial to take place at the Gardens of Gethsemani on Wednesday, August 3 at 12:00pm.
Sylvia’s passing has left a tremendous void in our lives.