I met Sylvia just about fifty years ago on 1st December 1965, although we had spoken to each other on the telephone at work, we had not met, so it was a blind date. Not quite true I had asked one of my work colleagues to get a photograph if possible and he did (this is the first photograph in the tribute slide show). I was aware in advance therefore what a gorgeous young lady she was. What you can’t tell from any photograph is what a fantastic personality she also had, it would seem frowning was not part of her makeup, she always smiled.
Sylvia was born in January 1945 whilst her father was serving in the RAF and based in Egypt. She was the third child of five, the first girl born to Eric and Margaret Hallam.
One of her brothers found it difficult to say Sylvia and he managed Hibbi and from that day, within the family she was known as Hibbi.
Sylvia had many friends in Weston Coyney, but when we set up home in Rugeley she had to rebuild her friendships, which I’m happy to say did not take her long. Sylv as she was known to most was a very good friend as many will vouch, she was not a fair weather friend but a friend in the true sense of the word. If you wanted, needed anything and she had it, it was yours. I think this could be seen at her funeral where many friends old and new had taken the time to celebrate her life with her family.
She was first and foremost a family lady, - my wife for 47 years, mother to Louise and Stephen. Mother in law to David and Jenny, Grandma to Euan, Katie, Evie, Rhys and Keeley and sister to Eric and Stephen.
But she wasn’t just a wife, a mother, grandma or sister; she was their best friend as well, somebody to talk to without criticism, judgement or anger. Advice was always available when requested; she understood her family and lived for them.
Gardening was a particular love of Sylv, she could always be found moving this, trimming the other. In fact I used to call her Mrs Lopper after her continual cutting of this tree and that tree.
A close second to her family and gardening was sport, she was an avid watcher of the Gran Prix, she enjoyed watching football and cricket, but her true love was Badminton, gracing the courts at many clubs until this dreadful disease struck. She played in many teams and to this day has numerous badminton friends and colleagues.
A sportswoman at heart and a heart in her sport, a lady in all she did. She played hard; she played to win but always had respect for her opponents who in turn had the greatest respect for her. She was exemplary in conduct, courteous in manners, easy going, but steady and firm in principle.
Sylv was very rich, not in wealth, but in kindness, honesty and affection. She blessed us all with it and gave of it freely.
I see Sylv with her badminton racket in hand organising the games for all above. Yes, she is embarking on a new game which one day we will all have the honour of joining, because it will be well run and well organised.
Her name will not only be engraved in marble but will be etched in our hearts forever.
Dance, Sylvia dance… for the world, our world was, is, a better place for your life, and heaven is still more glorious for you having finally gone home.
All my love I write this in honour and thankfulness for you being my wife.
Gone are the days when we were together, but memories of you will stay in my heart forever.
God bless you Sylv, I miss you so much..