Villagers representing facets of Sylvia Jago’s 84 years of activity were among the congregation in St. Andrew’s Church, Congresbury, for a celebration of her life on April 4th.
Born in Plymouth, Sylvia worked as a clerical clerk until she met her husband Robert, who was a sub mariner in the Royal Navy.
They were married in Gosport, where the four children, Gordon, Martin, Anne and Sue, were born and later moved to Scotland, living in Helensburgh for some years.
After Robert retired from the Navy in 1970, he worked for BAE Systems in Bristol and the family moved to Stonewell Park, Congresbury.
Sylvia worked for the Meat Research Institute in Langford.
She soon became involved in village life, and with a background in guiding, became a Brownie leader, and, in later life, after retiring from leading the pack, belonged to the Trefoil Guild.
She was a member of Congresbury Evening W.I. for many years, eventually becoming President, and was a member of the local ladies skittles team.
The family moved to High Street, and Sylvia remained there for many years, until she crossed the road to live in a bungalow in Orchard Close.
A keen gardener, she belonged to the Congresbury Horticultural Society, and opened her garden on the village Open Gardens days.
Her husband died in 1992, and, as an avid reader, Sylvia embarked on a new venture, obtaining an A Level in English Literature.
She fulfilled her role as a grandmother, caring for four grandchildren while her daughters were at work, but still found time to work as a volunteer receptionist at Weston Hospice.
She ventured abroad and visited her son Martin in New Zealand.
After developing dementia, she continued to live in the village, appreciating the support given to her by local residents, but two years ago moved into a Nursing Home.
Sylvia leaves four children and nine grandchildren.
The Memorial service was conducted by the vicar of Congresbury, Rev. Matthew Thomson.