Sylvia McAtee (26 Oct 1934 - 25 Jul 2022)

Other Condolence messages received:

Margaret Meaden
Dearest Michelle & Marielle, my heart aches for you and the loss of dear, kind, amazing, funny, classy, elegant, legendary Sylvia. What an inspirational lady. It’s been a privilege to be a small part of her life. I will miss her forever.
Much love to you and the boys. I will message them tomorrow but now home and ready to toast her and her wonderful legacy of you all.
Much love
Good night Sylvia. Love you xx

Barry Alister
Hi Michelle, Just heard that your dear mum has passed - my heart felt condolences and sent to you and your siblings.
I will always remember your mum with fondness, and especially our road trip for the day to France where she drove the Mercedes flatbed back - I think I may have a photo somewhere of it.
The road trip was to move some furniture to your cottage there - circa 93 or 94 I think
God bless x
Barry

Carleen Smallwood
Hello Michelle sending love on the passing of your mum. Have really fond memories of Auntie Sylvia especially when we visited London as children

Tony West
So sorry about Sylvia, Michelle. She was a great lady and a great character who always made me feel welcome. She was also a brilliant grandmother. She will be missed.

Aiden McCarney
So sorry to hear about your mum she really was a beautiful lady and a very special person

Brona McAtee
Hi Michelle, I have been thinking away about you all recently and am so sorry about your dear mum!!! She will always be fondly remembered by us as a beautiful flamboyant positive lady always smiling. Hope your doing ok. Love to all. Xxxxx

Tish McCarney
Aah Michelle, so sorry to hear about your mothers death. Thinking about you and all your family at this sad time RIP Sylvia.

In memory of Sylvia McAtee

Sylvia will always remain in my thoughts and prayers. She was a strong woman with a big heart.
If it wasn’t for the carrot cake she made in 1959, I doubt if I, Vincent or Michelle would be here today! I will never forget Frank giggling away talking about this infamous cake.
When my parents died it was important that I kept in contact with Sylvia. George and I enjoyed our visits to the local restaurant with her and Michelle, where many happy memories of earlier times were shared.
Rest in Peace Sylvia. You will never be forgotten.

Just a few more memories of Sylvia.

She visited us in Spain on the Costa Blanca but we didn't have enough room for her in our apartment so she stayed in what was barely a 1-star hotel in the town. She never complained and Jasmin loved it as she got to stay with her and watch TV until the early hours! It was the end of October and we'd been invited to our friends' finca for Halloween. Jas and Joe dressed Sylvia as a witch, with the clothes, wig, hat and make up. They loved it and she did, she played all the games and was great fun.

Things that she told me years ago that I still do today.

Drive an automatic car. I disagreed with her when we first met but she's so right, I'd never drive anything else!

Always add a bit of sugar when you're frying onions!

Always add some mustard when you're frying bacon.

One of the things I loved most about Sylvia is that she was always so interested in any stories, wanting to know all the details and really paying attention and she was always so complementary. She was formidable, fun and unforgettable. A lady in the true sense of the word.

I shall really miss not making her a Christmas card this year as I know that she cherished them

​​​​​

Thank you, Michelle, Sean, Marielle, and Liam for this opportunity to speak about my connection with Sylvia.
Our family was first introduced to Sylvia at her wedding where my siblings were her Page Boys and Flower Girl (Sally was pregnant with me).

When we lived in Europe in the early ‘60s, we would often visit with the London McAtees on our way to or from Ireland. However, it was during the years when I would first spend a week in London with my English cousins prior to all of us departing for Ireland for the whole summer that I discovered my ‘hip’ aunt.

Sylvia was always keen on showing me London and all its attractions whether it was the zoo, an exhibit, or the latest film and from that we would discuss issues that I did not discuss with my parents or other adults. Although she was very determined, she also had a very mischievous side.

One of my special Sylvia moments was when the sisters-in-law (Sylvia, Celine, Peggy) visited with us in Canada. I had just finished high school and my father suggested that Sylvia and I drive every one to California with the trailer.

Not only was this the first time I spent a lot of time with aunts, but I was able to see the aunts enjoying a carefree time in each other’s company. Sylvia was tickled being able to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge,and, being the McAtees, there was no shortage of fun: watching their first drive-in movie, drinking wine, reminiscing around the camp fireplace, or beating the oppressive heat by stopping in all the air-conditioned shops without buying anything. Then there was the time Peggy used her knickers ---rather than more appropriate clothing--to shield herself from the hot sun!

I was so pleased when Sylvia represented the family at our wedding in Victoria. Sylvia also visited us in Oslo in 2009, and she recalled vividly the good times in 50’s London with Pat and Celine and Chris and Patricia which culminated in everyone having their first child within months of each other.

My final visit with Sylvia was in July. Although hospital visits can be sad, I was so pleased to see her again. Regardless of her condition, she had the same brilliant blue eyes. She will always be a special person to me, an end of an era, and will not be forgotten.

It was evident that Sylvia was much loved by everyone, especially her children. The full-time familial care ensured that she did not live, love or die alone.

Dearest Sylvia, I know you are listening:
My first memories of England are of Blake Hall Road visits with my parents, and
later, getting off the tube for Leytonstone and looking forward to your news.
I recall their admiration for you in London, and yours for my father’s strength in
persevering throughout the war, starting a new life with my mother in Canada.
Our bond began in 1957, when I was 5, returning with my family for your wedding
to Uncle Frank. Michael and I walked down the aisle behind you, holding up your
wedding-dress train as my sister Mairead followed as the flower girl.
On our first visits from Europe in the early 60's, you drove us around swinging
London, pointing out Carnaby Street, seeing the Dave Clark 5 movie, enjoying
magnificent meals you’d spent hours preparing. We marvelled at London and the
idyllic lifestyle that Michelle and Sean enjoyed as your children.
After we returned to Canada, you continued sharing your thoughts with me,
sitting me down with a cup of tea for earnest talks during my stopover visits en
route to Ireland, meeting Marielle and Liam. Several adventures with "Honey"
guarding Blake Hall Road stand out. I’d forget she was in the kitchen, unaware
what was waiting for me, then trying to retreat very carefully.
During my 1981-82 year in London, your door was always open. Your magnificent
welcome to your new home in Wanstead when I got married in 1988 still
resonates in my mind. On my last visit to see you in your apartment overlooking
the Thames, I nearly missed the airport bus to hear all your news.

Sylvia McAtee, my aunt, typified a wonderfully fulfilling life in one of the world’s
great cities. Her passing truly marks the end of an era.
Michelle, Marielle, Sean and Liam:
Best regards to you all in your time of sorrow.
Best wishes from across the water.
You will always be welcome to visit and stay with us in Canada.
With love,
Peter and Erika

Subject: In Memory of Sylvia McAtee





To: Michelle, Marielle, Sean and Liam let me convey my deepest condolences to you on the death of

your mother, Sylvia. As I don't have all email addresses, please pass on to those that I have missed.



Aunt Sylvia, you were very much loved and admired from afar. I was first introduced to you just before your wedding to Uncle Frank. Mind you, I was just a child but you had shown me that you cared about life and those that you shared your life with. You made us feel special and had us included in your wedding procession with all four of us children dressed out for the ceremony. I had enjoyed our short time together as you had encouraged me to take on challenges and see the world. This I did with Canada's foreign service. A few years later, you had sent an invitation to me while serving with our Embassy in Jakarta for Michelle's wedding. That I wouldn't miss for anything. I knew that you were a person for detail and fun. You did not let me down as 1) the men of the wedding party had to dress in morning suits and 2) when we entered the wedding ballroom, we were announced by individual name.

In between the weddings, we had visited you in London on a few occasions to meet the growing family. Without prompting, you freely gave your time and energy to bring us on tours of London and show us it's history. I was impressed with your knowledge and your sense of fun.



You will not be forgotten! ..........May you rest in peace eternally.

Michael Meehan

In loving memory of Sylvia who was a woman of strength and courage .
May she rest in peace and live on within the memories of her loved ones.

Silvia Lema

Sylvia, you will be dearly missed x

Dear Sylvia, you truly were a gracious lady who will be sorely missed by all of us who knew and loved you

Sylvia, we'll miss you very much. Thank you for being a good friend. For the good times, the lunches and laughter and setting the world to rights over a glass or two! You'll always be in our thoughts.

Pam, Jane and family

My first memory of Sylvia was a tall, beautiful and confident woman with a wonderful laugh and calling us all “darling”. She was to
become my Aunt and I was to become her flower girl at her wedding to Uncle Frank.

The next visits, during the ‘60s, to 73 Blakehall Road, were always an adventure. I will never forget Sylvia loading us all into her
convertible and showing us all the sights of London. She made us all feel like stars! How lucky Michelle and Sean were to have
a Mother who was really with it.

Another time when Patrick and I stopped on our way to Ireland Sylvia decided to take us & the family to a Safari Park outside of London for the day. Everyone had to remain in the car while the animals roamed free in each of the enclosures. We were all so excited until a lion hopped on top of our car and another came up to my door. Definitely too close for comfort and the excitement changed to fear. Slowly we moved on and so did both lions. Then we entered the next enclosure and large baboons with very
sharp teeth tried to open the doors and covered the windshield so Sylvia could hardly see to flee. We couldn’t get out of the park fast enough. Then Sylvia had to stop the car as both her and I were overcome with laughter. The younger ones didn’t think that it was so funny and Sylvia decided to take the Safari Park off her visitor list.

Sylvia always encouraged me to be confident and go after my dreams. She will be dearly missed by myself and countless others.
She will always have a place in my heart.

Dear Michelle, Sean, Marielle and Liam my thoughts and blessings are with you during this sad time.

Love

Mairead

To a great lady who it was our pleasure to know.

What a great lady and what a great life. She was fun, interested in everything, generous and a pleasure to be around.

There's a new angel looking over you to protect you 💞🙏🏼

From the MCCARNEY nieces and nephews.

In memory of our fabulous Auntie Sylvia who, back in the day, rolled into Fintona in an American estate wagon and brightened up our lives with the biggest of smiles, her ‘darling’ ways, and her happy, loud laughter.
With love and fond memories from Vincent, Denise, Ann, Paula, Celine, Patrick and Aiden. RIP