Sylvia Paulsson (née Carter)

Sadly I won’t be there in person for Sylvie’s funeral service, we live in Australia now, although I too will be remembering her and celebrating her life with memories of someone who was a much loved family friend from my childhood and youth. Sylvie was godmother to my sister Sue and a loving “Auntie” to me and my brother, Tim, when we were children. As a child the family called me Lyndy-Lou, but Sylvie always had her own pet names for people and mine was Lupin. That name was something special between me and her.
I remember family gatherings with Sylvie present including bonfire night celebrations and occasional visits to her mother, Mrs Carter. As I got older, Sylvie was there as a trusted friend and confidante, providing advice, solace and sanctuary when I needed it, and on one occasion bravely coming to an overcrowded party I hosted with music that was far too loud. Sylvie was stylish and loved clothes, once lending me a fabulous purple dress to wear to a wedding. She was there too for my mother, Pat, when she was ill and in hospice care, visiting and being kind to all of us in our grief. Our paths may have crossed less frequently when I grew up and moved away but occasional visits and phone calls filled in the gaps and she always loved hearing news of what was happening with my family. Sylvie gave me freshwater pearls to wear on my own wedding day, something that I still treasure just as I treasure the memories I have of her. Rest in peace Sylvie.