Sylvia Caroline Sawatzky (nee Menig)
1960-2023
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on Wednesday October 11, 2023 at the age of 63 years.
Sylvia was born in Kreuzwertheim, Germany to Otto and Annerose Menig. After preparing with a classical education, she completed a law degree and worked for the German state while volunteering with Terre des Hommes, an international children’s rights and advocacy organization, then active in Nicaragua during the 1980s. This is where she met Walli. Two years later, they married and she immigrated to Canada at the age of 26.
Sylvia was a prolific artist of life, adept in all of the domestic arts and practice required to make a home, from child rearing to local food sourcing and preparation, tending to all manner of plants, possessing a vast knowledge of holistic nutrition and natural medicine necessary for a healthy family. A designer and planner, she was equally adept in other arts such as water colour painting, creating stained glass panels in her home studio, extensive knitting of sweaters and socks, poetry, song and music, particularly the banjo and guitar. She shared her wisdom in the teaching of adult education programs in nutrition and parenting. For a time Sylvia was a teacher at the Concordia German School.
She shared many gifts, the greatest being her love. Sylvia loved people, weaving together so many of us in diverse places into various forms of community, often creating a sense of family. She leaves an extensive network of friends throughout the world.
Sylvia loved the natural world, especially trees. Her formative enchantments began as a child exploring the forests, meadows and river of her home, imbibing the stories and legends of her Franconian roots and later the mythical worlds of Tolkien among others. As an avid and wide reader of literature as well as science, she relished deep and heartfelt conversation on any matters of current concern, often late into the night. Her quick wit and keen intellect matched her compassionate heart.
In her earthly sojourn, Sylvia was a great force of love. She embraced life in all its joys and tribulations, imbuing everyone and everything she touched with beauty. She knew her final destination was to a heavenly home of love. Her inspiration resounds, echoing as testament for us.
Beloved wife and best friend of Walter “Walli” Sawatzky, they were married for over 37 years. Loving mother of Joschka (Leslie), Katrin (AJ) and Anneli. Cherished grandmother of Rudy “Ru” Johnson. Dear sister of Hermann and Manfred. Dear daughter of Annerose Menig
Predeceased by her father, Otto, and brother, Stephan.
Cremation has taken place. A private gathering of remembrance has been held. An open celebration in the spring including a tree planting, stories and song will be held in Sylvia’s honour.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the ecology/spirituality programs at Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph or to Mennonite Central Committee in Kitchener as expressions of sympathy.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.trictycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Sylvia's obituary notice on Facebook.