Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia Belle Avis (Pye) of Upper Vaughan, Nova Scotia on December 12, 2025. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, friend and wife.

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank (Rollie) Avis (Aug. 27,2025). Sylvia was also predeceased by her father, Percey George Pye, mother, Doris Wickgren Pye (Renshaw), and brothers Alan and Frank. She is survived by her sister Florence (Tiny) Pye, sons Sean Avis, Alan Avis, and her grandchildren Nehiley Avis & Piper (Xepher) Avis.

Sylvia was born in 1948 in Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia where she spent her early years with her family. It was there were she met the roving sport fishermen, the Avis brothers. She developed a close bond with Rollie Avis, whom she married and started a family. They began raising their two boys together in Enfield, NS. Life took them to Moncton NB for a few years and then to Halifax NS where they settled in with their family. Her later years were spent in Upper Vaughan on the Armstrong Lake with Rollie, where she settled in and had many friends in the community.

Sylvia was a kind, generous, passionate, spicy lady with a zest for life. Sylvia had many skills. Of prominence throughout her life were here great meals (we already miss her lasagna, chili, and seafood bisque). She was also a phenomenal seamstress. She ran her own small business for many years focusing on draperies; however, she made many beautiful prom and brides maids’ dresses/gowns. She installed her own curtain hardware, did upholstery work (have you ever sat in her dining room chairs?), made custom fly coverings for tents used by the local boy scout troops and many other things too long to list in this memorial.

Sylvia was fearless and very devoted to her family. The best example we have is that she would happily take her two boys in the family camper to Kejimkujik National Park, on her own for several weeks, while Rollie dropped in on weekends. These are some of our best memories with her.

She was an avid volunteer who fundraised for many organizations. She was actively involved in her sons’ activities volunteering for many years with local and provincial bodies of Scouts. She even attended/volunteered at the 1989 Canadian Boy Scout Jamboree on her own. Other volunteer activities included the Halifax Trojans swim club and eventually with Girl Guide camps when her grandchildren were young. If there was something to be done, just mention it around Sylvia.

Thank you to the staff of Melville Gardens in Halifax NS for their love and care for Sylvia over the past couple of years.

A celebration of her life will be held later in the spring where friends and family will be invited to gather and share stories of the joy she brought into their lives. Donations may be made to your charity of choice in her memory.

We will carry her laughter and love in our hearts forever!