Sylvia Jane DU VERNET

Du Vernet, Sylvia Jane (nee Niemeier) Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Lecturer, Author, and Literary Critic. Sylvia was born in Hamilton, Ontario Sept. 6, 1921, to Dr. & Mrs. Otto Niemeier, the eldest of two girls. She leaves behind her sister, Nora. Sylvia met the love of her life, Ernest Du Vernet, in First Form at Central Collegiate in Hamilton. They were sweethearts for over 75 years, married for 65 until Ernest passed away in March 2012. Theirs was a lifelong adventure, with 3 boys: Peter-Paul (Dawne), Christopher (Hellen), and Timothy, and 4 grandchildren: Devon, Kaleigh, John-David, and Jennalee. Sylvia was delighted to have granddaughters in the family with whom to share her interests in Anne of Green Gables and China. Sylvia loved language, reading, writing, books and learning. She achieved a B. Paed., M.L.S., M.A., M.A. Religious Studies, and M.A. Lit. She encouraged her family to pursue higher education and to love learning. Sylvia had many interests and was curious about many things: Aboriginal studies, religious studies, history and literature. She authored a biography of the Archbishop of Caledonia, Frederick H. Du Vernet (Ernest's Grandfather) of Norman Bethune, a history of the Muskoka Chautauqua and critique of the works of L.M. Montgomery. She wrote and published poetry. She was an inveterate collector, with a keen eye for china and pottery, and Canadian antiques for which she scoured Muskoka, Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula. Sylvia was a lifelong summer resident of Muskoka. She and Ernest loved to be in their canoe for the Muskoka sun rise, and in their Seabird for sunset. An eccentric matriarch with a gentle way…always a smile, and often well chosen words from the literature she loved. Celebrating all occasions in a lovely way. Christmas, Easter, special family dinners on birthdays. Sylvia was famous for taking her many friends out for lunch on their birthday. Always planning family trips and occasions, they travelled the globe taking in history and culture wherever their travels took them. Sylvia was a patron of the arts. She supported the opera, the AGO, the ROM, and theatre. She attended Humber Valley United Church in Etobicoke and Christ Church Windermere in Muskoka. She was a member of the University Women's Club, the Arts & Letters Club, the Heliconian Society and RCYC. She pursued her interests with her own unique style. She lived authentically. She was dear to us for being an original. Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday May 14, 2013, St. George's on the Hill Anglican Church.