For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Sylvia Florence Henault (née Piner)

 

WRCNS

 

Died: 13 Mar 2020, Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

HENAULT, Sylvia Florence (née PINER) - Peacefully, on March 13, 2020, Sylvia Florence Henault (nee Piner), aged 94, passed away at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home in Winnipeg, MB. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Raymond (Loraine), Douglas (Alison), Marc (Pam); grandchildren, Rick (Sandra), Mike (Alyssa), Louise (Wanda), Daniel, Lisa, Justis, Nolan, Charlotte (Manny), Crystal (John), and Cindy; great-grandchildren, Isabel, Nick, Amber, Daniel and Matthew; great-great-grandchildren, Madison and Damien; and her many friends and extended family. Sylvia was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, Roland, in 2013; and her third son, Gary, in 2015. Born in Sussex, England, Sylvia came to Canada with her family in the 1930s, settling in Winnipeg, MB. She graduated from Kelvin High School, and chose to support the Canadian Second World War effort by joining the Navy at HMCS Chippewa in Winnipeg as a member of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS or "Wrens") in September 1944. She served mainly at HMCS Bytown and HMCS Carleton in Ottawa throughout her service, demobilizing at HMCS Chippewa in February, 1946. For her service, she was proudly awarded the War Service Medal. Sylvia was an excellent seamstress, an avid walker, and the pillar of strength for her family. She was also Roland's best co-pilot and navigator, and was a common sight at the Lyncrest Airport in Winnipeg, and Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona during the winter months. She will be sorely missed by all who knew this kind, loving and gentle lady. A Celebration of Life will be held for Sylvia at the Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, in the late spring of 2020, where she will be interred with her predeceased husband, Roland, and son, Gary. Donations in Sylvia's memory can be made to the CNIB Foundation online.  (Winnipeg Free Press 21 Mar 2020)

 

Ships served in:

HMCS CHIPPAWA

HMCS BYTOWN

HMCS CARLETON

 


 

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