In Memory of Sylvia Foley

It is with profound sadness that Sylvia Foley’s family announces her passing on October 19, 2026. She passed peacefully at her home in Orleans, Ontario after a brief battle with cancer surrounded by her husband and children.

Born on May 2, 1945 in Gander, NL to Georgina and Arthur Young, Sylvia lived a full and vibrant life. With multiple moves across the island, Sylvia lived in Fogo, Millertown, Bay Roberts, and St. Phillips where her father worked as a teacher and principal.

She attended nursing school at the Grace General Hospital in St. John’s and graduated in 1966. She settled in Grand Falls where she started her family and worked 32 years as a pediatric nurse.

She met her first love, Bill, in line for take out at the Tai Wan Chinese Restaurant in Grand Falls-Windsor. They were married 40+ years and together had three beloved children: Kelly, Jim, and Robert.

In the years following Bill’s passing in 2010, Sylvia found her second love, Chesley, in Ottawa. Ches and Sylvia shared 10 years together and three years of marriage.

Sylvia loved everyone deeply. She adored the children she cared for over her career as a nurse. She loved and unconditionally supported her three children raising them to be strong-willed and incredibly kind people. Sylvia, known to them as Nanny, held a special love for her grandchildren, accepting and celebrating each of them exactly as they are. She also loved her friends, maintaining 73 year friendships as well as making new friends well into her 70s. There was also a special place in her heart for her fur grandbabies. Finally, Sylvia had enough room in her heart to share true love with two souls. Bill and Ches brought so much joy and love to her life, ensuring she was loved unconditionally throughout her years, nothing short of what she deserved.

Sylvia is predeceased by her first husband Bill, her sister Norma, and her parents Georgina and Arthur. Left to mourn is her second husband Ches, daughter Kelly (Tony), sons Jim (Michelle) and Robert (Kelly), brother Harvey (Arlene), grandchildren Jillian, Allison, Kendra, Rebecca (Chelsee), Nathan, Meaghan (Jackie), Shaun, and her great grand daughter Abigail.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew’s Church in Cumberland on Friday 23 Oct 26 at 11:00am with internment to follow at Dale’s Cemetery. Family visitation will take place at St. Andrew’s Church starting at 10:00am. A reception will follow the internment in the basement of the church.

Donations in lieu of flowers are to be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society, The Children’s Wish Foundation or St. Andrew’s Church.