MENARD, Sylvie
On August 30, 2022, Sylvie Menard passed away with medical assistance. She died the way she lived: with great care and respect for others, surrounded by her adoring family and, most of all, her way.
Sylvie was smart, kind, thoughtful and caring, with a zest for life that was exhilarating and infectious.
A long-time West Islander, Sylvie’s presence and work touched the lives of so many. After graduating from Beaconsfield High School, in 1971, she started a family with her first husband, the late Grant Thomas and became a world-class mom to her two kids, Sarah and Trevor. While both were still young, she went back to school, and took night classes to complete her Bachelor of Education at Concordia University. She brought unmatched passion and imagination to her teaching career, at Christmas Park, Edgewater and Dorset Elementary schools, where she was adored by her students and the communities.
In 2002, she met the love of her life, Ted, and together they began a new life, travelled the world and started a business – Coyaba. Their little store took them all over the Caribbean, where they discovered their happy place: Eleuthera, in the Bahamas. Together, they made a second home there, but rather than simply rest and relax, Sylvie found her way into the local community where she worked with Haitian refugees, helped locals develop skills and designed and managed several properties.
Sylvie loved fiercely and was fiercely loved by so many. But none more so than her family. Her husband, Ted Pope, her daughter, Sarah Thomas, her son, Trevor Thomas, and daughter-in-law, Caroline DaBreo, her grandsons, James Lowden and Mason Thomas, her sister and brother-in-law, Adele and Don Brooks and her niece and nephews, Karen Clement, Christopher Brooks and David Brooks.
The world was made greater by your presence. We will hold you in our hearts forever.
Thank you to Doctor Selbie, Doctor Weisse at the Kingston General Hospital, Nurse Anthony of St. Elisabeth and all Sylvie’s supportive friends over the years.Online condolences at www.directcremationservices.ca
Published on September 1, 2022, Montreal Gazette