Her name was Sylvia
Created by Shelley 4 days agoHer name was Sylvia
Sylvia Beck. We met in Mr. Sven Wijkstrom’s Standard Four class in 1983. She was this bubbly, chatty, giggly girl with blonde braids and I was a shy, awkward newbie, and it didn’t help that when he was asking me some questions about myself and where I lived, my quavering semi-confident answer was “St. Michael’s-On-THE-Sea”. This naturally had the entire class erupt in laughter and instant teasing, especially from the blond Viking descendant of a teacher (there is no ‘THE’)… Of course Sylvia has never let me forget it. EVER. But, she was kind enough to take pity on this awkward gangly creature, and we fast became friends.
We were made prefects together in 1984. We spent so much time together that I was practically part of the household. (Thanks again, Aunty Ruth!) Many hours spent in the yellow Beetle, swimming pools, on beaches, picking litchis from their enormous tree, listening to music and watching music videos, dancing, laughing, talking and talking. Watching vintage musicals with her folks on a Sunday afternoon after having driven down to Margate in the Ford Fairlane for a double scoop of Carvel ice-cream that was quickly devoured on top of a random sand dune, overlooking the beach. At least that shut us up for five whole minutes! So many memories.
After graduating high school and going our separate ways, we still managed to keep in touch through letters, postcards and photographs. Each of them a precious thread of connection.
We eventually met up again in person in 2011 on a family trip to the UK. She went out of her way to meet us at Heathrow, and then was our personal tour guide showing us around London. Shopping at Harrods, on and off the double-decker busses, navigating the Underground and walking through St. James Park to spend some time at Buckingham Palace.
We once again met up for lunch in London together with another dear friend from school, René, in January 2017. It was fantastic to chat and laugh and spend quality time with both of them again. Just like old times, but different.
Sylvia was also one of the few people who helped support and encourage me before, during and after the throes of my divorce. We would spend hours on video calls, drinking wine, laughing, crying, and reminiscing about our favourite childhood memories, literally until the phone batteries died, the wine ran out or both. Her own experience was just as heartbreaking, and yet she grew stronger, more resilient and independent as a result. I can honestly say that she inspired me to follow her lead and do the same, even if I tripped and fell a few times on the way.
The last time I saw her was a few months ago when I had the opportunity to meet up with Sylvia, her sister Monica and Aunty Ruth at the airport while they were waiting for their flight back home to the UK after being back in SA for a short visit. It was like a mini-reunion and I definitely wasn’t going to miss the chance to spend a few hours with them. It was just like old times! Laughter, memories, family and work news and generally swapping stories. At one point Aunty Ruth asked if we had finished nattering yet, she got two quizzical looks and a stereo “No!”. That kinda sums up our friendship… never a dull moment, or for anyone else to have a chance to get a word in edgewise! Looking back now it was nothing more than a typical conversation between us, made genuinely precious by the company and the time limitations. This wonderful confluence of timing, opportunity and location doesn’t seem coincidental, and that afternoon spent together is the last memory that I have of my darling friend.
This news has come as nothing short of bewildering, shocking and devastating. I cannot imagine what you as a family all went through, and you have my undying love and gratitude for all being there for her. I can say with absolute certainty that she was so immensely proud of wonderful children, Caitlyn and Jordan, and was simply in love with her extended and close-knit family.
I’m honoured to say that this one-of-a-kind woman was my friend for 41 years. We went and got through some weird, interesting, depressing, embarrassing and hilarious times together. Her inimitable personality, courage, love, laughter and spirit will live on in my heart. I am so happy she decided to befriend this odd, introverted person from “St. Michael’s-on-THE-Sea”. My life has not been the same since, and now it has changed once more.
Farewell my darling friend. AKA Moose, Sylvie, and to me, she was Zleebug. I will love and miss you until we meet again.
Your friend,
Shelley AKA Pelican xx
Sylvia Beck. We met in Mr. Sven Wijkstrom’s Standard Four class in 1983. She was this bubbly, chatty, giggly girl with blonde braids and I was a shy, awkward newbie, and it didn’t help that when he was asking me some questions about myself and where I lived, my quavering semi-confident answer was “St. Michael’s-On-THE-Sea”. This naturally had the entire class erupt in laughter and instant teasing, especially from the blond Viking descendant of a teacher (there is no ‘THE’)… Of course Sylvia has never let me forget it. EVER. But, she was kind enough to take pity on this awkward gangly creature, and we fast became friends.
We were made prefects together in 1984. We spent so much time together that I was practically part of the household. (Thanks again, Aunty Ruth!) Many hours spent in the yellow Beetle, swimming pools, on beaches, picking litchis from their enormous tree, listening to music and watching music videos, dancing, laughing, talking and talking. Watching vintage musicals with her folks on a Sunday afternoon after having driven down to Margate in the Ford Fairlane for a double scoop of Carvel ice-cream that was quickly devoured on top of a random sand dune, overlooking the beach. At least that shut us up for five whole minutes! So many memories.
After graduating high school and going our separate ways, we still managed to keep in touch through letters, postcards and photographs. Each of them a precious thread of connection.
We eventually met up again in person in 2011 on a family trip to the UK. She went out of her way to meet us at Heathrow, and then was our personal tour guide showing us around London. Shopping at Harrods, on and off the double-decker busses, navigating the Underground and walking through St. James Park to spend some time at Buckingham Palace.
We once again met up for lunch in London together with another dear friend from school, René, in January 2017. It was fantastic to chat and laugh and spend quality time with both of them again. Just like old times, but different.
Sylvia was also one of the few people who helped support and encourage me before, during and after the throes of my divorce. We would spend hours on video calls, drinking wine, laughing, crying, and reminiscing about our favourite childhood memories, literally until the phone batteries died, the wine ran out or both. Her own experience was just as heartbreaking, and yet she grew stronger, more resilient and independent as a result. I can honestly say that she inspired me to follow her lead and do the same, even if I tripped and fell a few times on the way.
The last time I saw her was a few months ago when I had the opportunity to meet up with Sylvia, her sister Monica and Aunty Ruth at the airport while they were waiting for their flight back home to the UK after being back in SA for a short visit. It was like a mini-reunion and I definitely wasn’t going to miss the chance to spend a few hours with them. It was just like old times! Laughter, memories, family and work news and generally swapping stories. At one point Aunty Ruth asked if we had finished nattering yet, she got two quizzical looks and a stereo “No!”. That kinda sums up our friendship… never a dull moment, or for anyone else to have a chance to get a word in edgewise! Looking back now it was nothing more than a typical conversation between us, made genuinely precious by the company and the time limitations. This wonderful confluence of timing, opportunity and location doesn’t seem coincidental, and that afternoon spent together is the last memory that I have of my darling friend.
This news has come as nothing short of bewildering, shocking and devastating. I cannot imagine what you as a family all went through, and you have my undying love and gratitude for all being there for her. I can say with absolute certainty that she was so immensely proud of wonderful children, Caitlyn and Jordan, and was simply in love with her extended and close-knit family.
I’m honoured to say that this one-of-a-kind woman was my friend for 41 years. We went and got through some weird, interesting, depressing, embarrassing and hilarious times together. Her inimitable personality, courage, love, laughter and spirit will live on in my heart. I am so happy she decided to befriend this odd, introverted person from “St. Michael’s-on-THE-Sea”. My life has not been the same since, and now it has changed once more.
Farewell my darling friend. AKA Moose, Sylvie, and to me, she was Zleebug. I will love and miss you until we meet again.
Your friend,
Shelley AKA Pelican xx
Pictures
Shelley, René, Sylvia 2017
