Sybil Gail Calef

Ipswich, MA - Sybil G. Calef, 75, passed away Monday, September 18, 2023, at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington after a brief, but insurmountable illness. Born in Belmont, she was the daughter of the late Carleton H. and Sybil K. (Ellicott) Holmes. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Steven R. Calef with whom she shared 55 years of marriage, living in their dream home on Great Neck in Ipswich for 25 years, where they cherished entertaining family, friends, and employees of the family business with their famous lobster bakes.
Discovering her true calling for helping others early on, she graduated from UMass Amherst and Salem State College with a Nursing Degree. She immediately became a compassionate caregiver for elders for a span lasting over 40 years. After a well-deserved retirement, she spent time travelling with her husband throughout the U.S. and cruising to Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, and Canada. However, what she loved the most were the countless days spent with her adored grandchildren camping, visiting Great Wolf Lodge, and taking daytrips on the pontoon boat with Steve at the helm. Her goal was to take three vacations per year with them during school breaks and to attend every one of their sporting events. She also cherished, through great personal effort, their meticulously maintained yard. Even just this past spring, she spread 83 bags of bark mulch around their property.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by son, Craig Calef, and his wife Lindsay of Georgetown; and daughter, Kimberley Klapes, her husband David, and their twins Alexandra & Colin of Newburyport. She also leaves behind her two spoiled cats, Jake and Jasmine. She was adored by the employees of the family business, Corliss Bros Nursery in Ipswich, the large extended Calef family of more than 45 people, in addition to many dear friends and former colleagues. She was predeceased by her parents Carleton and Sybil Holmes, as well as her younger brother Thomas, all of Needham.
Her funeral service will be at Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:30am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Friday, September 22nd from 4pm to 7pm. Contributions may be made in Sybil's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbell-porter.com.