An annual thread, remembering Sylvia's birthday, 48 years ago....

[Dan Murphy]

Over The Rainbow​

--click for sound

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops is where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to, oh why, oh why can't I?
Well I see trees of green and Red roses too,
I'll watch then bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark and I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than
We'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops is where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dreams that you dare to, ... why, oh why can't I
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole​

Remembering our friend Sylvia today......​

​

January 14th, 1962. A little girl was born up in Canada. Her folks named her Sylvia. When Sylvia grew up, she had a son, and named him Nick. Sylvia became ill in 1998 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, same as another DIS friend, Lisa (Tiger Fan), who passed just a bit more than 3 years ago) blessed us all here on the DIS with her presence for a short period of time, and passed away June 7, 2001. She made a big impact on me and others, and I, along with others here on the DIS, have kept her memory lit.

What I have to remember Sylvia with is limited to the pictures below, along with several others, and my recollections of her, here on the DIS, my phone and board conversations with her over the months while she was here, conversations with her mom since her passing, my memories. As I have said in past years, I apologize for pretty much duplicating this thread a couple times a year, her birthday and her day of passing, but I do know many new folks come to the DIS, and never knew Sylvia, and this is about all I can do with what I have of memories and photos. I also know many who do enjoy seeing her a few times a year, albeit the same pictures, almost the same words, the same thoughts. So, with these few pictures, mine and others recollections, I try to have others share a life, Sylvia's.

Take a moment, relax, enjoy a life, Sylvia's......

Many folks here on the DIS, who have come here in the past 8 1/2 years, are not familiar with Sylvia, did not know Sylvia, though do see periodic references to her in posts every now and then, or in memorial clipart in some DIS'ers signatures, like mine below. Sylvia came to the DIS, in early 2000, like most of us, searching for some Disney answers, and she found the DIS, the DIS family, and likewise, that DIS family found Sylvia. She came, looking to make a magical trip to Disney World, a spur of the moment trip, for her and her son, Nick, then about 5 years old, shortly before she was about to restart chemo, due to a recurrence of her breast cancer, originally diagnosed and initially treated in mid 1998. Sylvia was able to go, making lifelong memories for little Nick. Some folks on the DIS helped indeed make her and Nick's WDW trip a reality, a magical memory for both. Shortly after that trip, Sylvia's health, suffering the ravages of her breast cancer, slowly deteriorated, with her finally passing, June 7th, 2001. A very sad day, a sad time here on the DIS for our family here. Our friend, Sylvia, here on the DIS for less that 18 months, and passing away 8 1/2 years ago, made a very lasting and indelible impression and memory on so many, myself among them. Today, we celebrate the happiness of Sylvia's birth, 48 years ago.

As with this day, and a few more throughout the year, I try to call/email Sylvia's mom, Margarete. Most current pictures of Nick (see below), are from 2007. I did talk to Margarete back last year, I will have to ask herfor a current one of Nick.; I will post it when I get it. He should be like 17 now.

In Sylvia's memory, let us all try to do our part in maintaining good health. Make that appointment to get checked up....today

About one year before Sylvia passed away, another young DIS'er, Tink 2300, aka Stephanie, also passed away. And in recent years, we lost Robin and Beverly Lynn, two more young women in the prime of their lives. Three young children, Nick, Caitlyn and Aryn lost their moms way too early in life. Keep their memories alive, Steph, Sylvia, Robin, Beverly Lynn. Also, in recent times, we also lost DIS'ers Montessori, FloridaCat, Tigger13, Richyams, FaithinKarma, JudySue, Hurricanpatti (aka Hanname), ILUVDXL, Tigger13, Hilside, Herclover, MinnieM3 (Beth), Marlasmom, Julie_yet, and as said, just 3 years ago, same disease, Lisa. Please remember all these good people (and others if I have missed their names), all family members of our DIS community and family.

Here are a few pictures I have of Sylvia that I think give a little insight into this lovely lady, a friend I never met........

This was taken on Sylvia's last birthday while with us,
January, 2001, just 5 months
prior to her death. Great smile, no??

Taken about 1 year after diagnosis with Dan, a good friend who
shared with Sylvia in her last couple years, enjoying nature, enjoying life.

This is Christmas of '98, with Nick. Sylvia felt
comfortable with
her baldness, a necessary side effect of getting well she said.

A few pictures from Sylvia's healthier days......

This picture is of Sylvia, Nick and Dan's DD, Emma.

What a great picture of a great lady!!!! This picture was taken
about 6 months before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sylvia loved the outdoors and animals.
She was especially fond of otters.

This one also was taken shortly before she was diagnosed, a
great picture of Sylvia and little Nick.

And all throughout her illness, what a strong lady!!!!
Anyone see a frown?
Always smiling, that was Sylvia.

Love you, miss ya, Syl, friend.

A picture here of Nick, around the time Sylvia came to the DIS, along with their two beautiful Malamutes

Picture of Nick, about age 7

And here is Nick some years back, age 9 here

Sylvia's mom, Margarete, with whom I have kept a dialog going over the years, sent me these couple updated ones after I talked to her in January on Sylvia's birthday two years ago.

The pictures here are of both Nick, and his grandma, Margarete, Sylvia's mom. They were taken at Christmas, 2007 (as if I had to say. ) Nick sure has grown, from those early pictures of years ago, when Sylvia was here, as well as several after; looking like a fine young man.


Margarete said to me....."Sylvia would have been so proud of him."

​

Sylvia was a wonderful lady​

​

A good site to visit, many great items of help here......

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

And today, here on the DIS, we have many breast cancer survivors,
many in remission, many still fighting the battle.
Maybe stop by and say hello......

Dis Breast Cancer Survivors, III - GAGWTA! (Greetings and good wishes to all!)​

Dan


PS: Also, a bit of apology to those who have seen this similar thread several times in the past over the years on Sylvia’s birthday and anniversary of her passing. I do try to keep Sylvia's memory here, as do others, yet have a finite number of pictures and memories to share. Thanks

Many also who would remember Sylvia are no longer here, though I know they do keep her in their memories.





.

 

[Darsa]

No need to apologize, Dan. What a wonderful person you are, a wonderful friend. God bless you, I can only imagine that Sylvia knows what an amazing person you are, and is smiling down on you from Heaven.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Dan, You were such a good friend to Sylvia here on the DIS! So nice of you to remember her each year!

TC

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks so much, Dan.

As a bona fide old timer, I remember Sylvia well. She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful spirit, that lives on in her son, Nick.

I can't believe it has been 8 1/2 years since she left us though.

I'd love to see an updated picture of Nick if you get one. I'm sure he is a wonderful young man.

 

[diz8297]

Dan -no need to apologize. I am honored to have a glimpse in the life of such a strong woman. God bless.

 

[pumba]

I too remember what a great lady she was.

Thanks Dan

 

[disney1990]

Dan - thank you so much for sharing this again.

 

[Big V]

I remember Sylvia. She was one sweet lady. She is missed.

 

[tazdev3225]

I never had the pleasure of knowing Sylvia as I'm a relatively new comer. It is so nice to see such a beautiful tribute to someone who touched so many lives. She was lucky to have had such a good friend in you. May we see an end to this dreaded disease in the near future so that no more women have to leave us in the prime of their lives.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.......I'd love to see an updated picture of Nick if you get one. I'm sure he is a wonderful young man.

Hoping to get one, Deb. If I do, I sure will post it.

And thanks everyone for your thoughts regarding our friend, Sylvia.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I too, remember Sylvia. Always pleasant. Always kind. Thank you for sharing the updated photo of her son.

Looking forward to a new one if it's possible.

Thank you for your compassion, Dan. It's a rare thing.

 

[autumnpalm]

I joined the DIS only two years ago, so I never "met" Sylvia however this thread has brought tears to my eyes. I have lost close family members to breast cancer and I will keep Sylvia's family and son in my prayers. What a lovely way of you to keep her memory alive on the DIS.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Dan, you need not apologize for posting about Sylvia and our other departed Disers. I think it's a beautiful thing to do. We keep our lost loved ones alive when we remember and talk about them.

I did not know Sylvia personally as a poster. I do remember when she passed away. So many lovely, heartfelt posts were written about her.

I remember Robin and wonder about how her Caitlyn is. I remember ILUVDXL and her "this day in history" threads. I recall Lisa's battle with her illness; she was a brave lady.

I'm so sad about Marlasmom. Barb was such a character and I do mean that in a good way! I hope her family is doing well; she loved them so much.

Beverly Lynn was a close friend of mine. We spoke often on the phone, and exchanged mail. Beverly was a generous, loving and fun person. I will miss her forever. I never thought I wouldn't ever meet her in person. Seemed like it was just a matter of tome before we'd meet up. I never guessed she would be taken so suddenly from us. I hope all is well with her parents and Aryn and her brother.

 

[Cruisin]

I never knew Sylvia, she was a few years before my time started here but I did know several of the others mentioned in your tribute.

They are definitely missed.

 

[Deb in IA]

Dan, you need not apologize for posting about Sylvia and our other departed Disers. I think it's a beautiful thing to do. We keep our lost loved ones alive when we remember and talk about them.

I did not know Sylvia personally as a poster. I do remember when she passed away. So many lovely, heartfelt posts were written about her.

I remember Robin and wonder about how her Caitlyn is. I remember ILUVDXL and her "this day in history" threads. I recall Lisa's battle with her illness; she was a brave lady.

I'm so sad about Marlasmom. Barb was such a character and I do mean that in a good way! I hope her family is doing well; she loved them so much.

Beverly Lynn was a close friend of mine. We spoke often on the phone, and exchanged mail. Beverly was a generous, loving and fun person. I will miss her forever. I never thought I wouldn't ever meet her in person. Seemed like it was just a matter of tome before we'd meet up. I never guessed she would be taken so suddenly from us. I hope all is well with her parents and Aryn and her brother.

So many gone, Janice. So sad. I miss them all too . . .

 

[Planogirl]

Apology? No way is that necessary. You are so kind to always remember and to remind us.

May they RIP.

 

[Robinrs]

Wow, Dan... You are so amazing to keep our dear Sylvia and her family in our memories!!

How he as GROWN! I can't believe it's been that long ago.

Hugs to you and to Sylvia's family!

 

[mrsmom]

I remember Sylvia,she was a wonderful lady. Thank you Dan for keeping her memory alive and i would love to see an updated picture of Nick.