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SYBIL CHRISTOPHER Obituary

CHRISTOPHER--Sybil, died on Thursday, March 7th in her beloved New York City surrounded by her family and friends. Recently retired as Co Artistic Director, with Murphy Davis, of The Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY, she had also worked as a literary agent at ICM in Los Angeles, was a founder of the renowned New York nightclub, Arthur, in the 1960s, and was an actress in what is now The Royal Shakespeare Company. She was born Sybil Williams in The Rhondda Valley in South Wales to a family of teachers. Both her parents died by the age of 14. She fell in love with the theater at the age of 15 when she was living with her sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Eddie Newell, seeing a new play every week at Northhampton Rep in England. She attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. At the age of 19 she appeared in the film, The Last Days of Dolwyn, and met her first husband, the 23 year old Richard Burton. She continued to act for a short while appearing with her husband in Henry IV Part1 and The Tempest at The Royal Shakespeare Theater. They were married for 14 years and had two daughters, Kate and Jessica. After their divorce, Sybil moved to New York, worked as a casting director for The New Theater and met her lifelong friend, Mike Nichols. She then founded Arthur, along with Edward Villella and Roddy McDowall, and from 1964 to 1968 it was the hottest nightclub in New York. It was there that she met Jordan Christopher, who was the lead singer for the house band, The Wild Ones. They married and had a daughter, Amy. The next 26 years were spent in New York, where Jordan became a Broadway actor, then to Los Angeles, then back to New York. After their divorce, she founded The Bay Street Theatre with Emma Walton (the daughter of her life long friends, Julie Andrews and Tony Walton) and Emma's husband, Stephen Hamilton. Bay Street is still producing plays. She is survived by her brother, Alun Williams, her daughter Kate, an actress, Jessica and Amy, a casting director, as well as her step daughter, Jodi Janowiak, Her sons-in-law, Michael Ritchie and Kenny Janowiak and her grandchildren, Morgan and Charlotte Ritchie, Scarlett Christopher Givner and Jordan and Jake Janowiak. She requested no funeral or memorial service. Her ashes will be scattered on her parents graves in The Rhondda this summer. Gifts in her memory can be made to the foundation that cares for her daughter, Jessica: The Devereaux Foundation 139 Leopard Road Berwyn PA 19312.

Published by New York Times on Mar. 12, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for SYBIL CHRISTOPHER

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I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of sybil Christopher she was a co founder may the God of tender mercies grant her

March 10, 2020

Valenda Newell

November 7, 2016

I hope and pray the family will use those beautiful memories she left behind to ease their lost of Ms Christopher.

Paula B.

March 7, 2016

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Harry Simpson

March 7, 2015

John Shepard

John Shepard

March 24, 2013

sorry for the loss,may God bring you peace and comfort.....

March 20, 2013

Rest in peace, dear Lady Sybil. I have always admired your strength and courage to go forward in your life after your divorce from your first husband, Richard Burton. I know you loved him so, but your courage and strength never went unnoticed.

Sincerely, Virginia

Virginia Cundari-Falcone

March 18, 2013

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of sorrow. " Those who die God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes." (Psalms 116:15)

March 15, 2013

I am so sorry for your mom's passing. She is now in Heaven having shows for God's Angels. I feel like I know you, as reading so much about you in the 1960's. Sandra Slater, Louisville Ky

March 15, 2013

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the God of all comfort give you the strength to cope. 2 Corth 1:3

A B

March 15, 2013

It is comforting to know that Jesus, the Ruler of God's Kingdom, is called the “Prince of Peace,” and he will ensure that “to peace there will be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.

Erica Broadway

March 14, 2013

To the Family of Sybil,
"May God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord show you his kindness and mercy and give you great peace of heart and mind."( 1 Timothy 1:2) The Living Bible (Paraphrased)
Sorry for your loss.

Emma Jean

March 14, 2013

Condolences to the Christopher Family and Kate Burton.

K S

March 14, 2013

I'm really sorry for your loss,and hope you find some comfort knowning that, Jehovah is near that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

~ Brenda,LV

March 14, 2013

sympathy to family and friends and comfort.Eccl.9:11.

March 14, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Rosie

March 14, 2013

Rest in peace.

C. W.

March 13, 2013

Sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Rest assured that Sybil is resting in the memory of our Heavenly Father. He will never forget the acts of kindness and love that Sybil extended in the behalf of others. May our Heavenly Father guard your hearts and grant you comfort and peace during your bereavement. Phillipians 4:7.

March 13, 2013

May god be with you in your time of sorrow god be with you also god bless you

e m

March 13, 2013

With love in serene thought'
Our condolences to the Christopher family and many other olfriends
'UniQue show Classic Venue in the Talent of movie Icon Legends..as well as Richard
~Spiritual in our love in thought and prayer~
rip`Sybil Christopher ~*~

Victoria&Andrew VZj

March 13, 2013

Miss Sybil - I was just thinking about you last week and what a remarkable woman you are. What a loss your passing is to this world; you leave a huge void. I can only imagine what you will accomplish in your next chapter.

P.S. They are correct, beautiful Kate certainly does look much like you!

An Admirer

March 13, 2013

It is with great sadness and sympathy to all the family that I write this. Those wonderful days at Arthur when we were all young have never been forgotten. Rest in Peace, dear Syb. Lovingly, Chad and Molly.

Chad Laurence

March 13, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the Christopher family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.

March 13, 2013

May you find comfort in knowing that "the prayer of the righteous ones he (God) hears." (Proverbs 15:29) By approaching him in prayer, you receive comfort and peace that excels all thought during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy,

Chanell

March 13, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Kate, you look so much like your Mom. God Bless you.

Bonita Olmer

March 13, 2013

To the family of Sybil,
My heart goes out to you all at this time of sorrow. I met Sybil many years ago in NYC. What a nice lady. I was saddened to hear of her passing.

Patti R

March 13, 2013

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

March 13, 2013

Sweet Jesus, please provide comfort and strength for her family and close friends.Oh Lord, hear my prayer.

john earle w.

March 13, 2013

To the children of Mrs. Christopher and the rest of the family and friends you have my deepest sympathy for your great loss. May the God who gives comfort to all comfort you at this sad time. 2 Cornt. 1:4

hyde

March 13, 2013

What a remarkable woman,she was a survival.May the God of tender mercies grant this family peace.(Eph.1:2)
Barb M.(NO)

March 13, 2013

To the friends and family may you find strength and comfort from our Heavenly Father

T W

March 13, 2013

My condolence to the family of sybil.

J

March 13, 2013

I'm sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you and your family in your time of grief. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Anna hendon

March 13, 2013

RIP. Prayers to you and your family.

March 13, 2013

I'm very sorry for your loss of Sybil. May the God of comfort be with you in your time of grief. My prayers go out to you and your family.

If you wish to contact me please do. I can be reached at: [email protected]

Callie W

March 13, 2013

May you be at Peace.

Sheila Smith

March 12, 2013

Sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one Romans Chapter 15:4 help us to appreciate that if we continue to endure God will give us the comfort we need.

March 12, 2013

My sincere condolencs to the family of Sybil Christopher.
RIP Sybil

Barbara Allen

March 12, 2013

I hope you found eternal peace now.

Nora Marion

March 12, 2013

My condolences to the family of Sybil may knowing that Death is temporary bring comfort and strengthen each of you thru this difficult time.

Carmen Woods

March 12, 2013

rip

michelle plakas-kaiser

March 12, 2013

All the best to Sybil's family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.

Stacy

March 12, 2013

My sincere condolence for the loss of Sybil your dear loved one. May your fond thoughts bring back good memories. Peace and love to your family and friends, and to the spirit that you show. [email protected]

B Lucas

March 12, 2013

A woman who showed what she was made of. May she rest in Peace.

Mary Jo Biggs-Battilana

March 12, 2013

Our condolences to Ms. Christopher's family. We were so sorry to hear of your loss. May our Heavenly Father, the God of tender mercies and comfort be with you. With deep sympathy,

Hart

March 12, 2013

In GOD eyes, Sybil is precious in God s eyes...he promises us a paradise on earth. A life a free of pain. And death

March 12, 2013

Sorry to learn of the death of your loved one. Please accept my condolences. May God give you peace.1 Corinthians 15:21,22

Floyd

March 12, 2013

Sorry for your loss , may you find comfort and hope in our loving Heavenly Father and his word...CI

March 12, 2013

My condolences to all who knew and loved her.

Sheila Ashton

March 12, 2013

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