Obituaries

Sylvia Stonechild (née Chaberek) was born in Manchester, England, on February 5, 1952, and passed away in Regina, Saskatchewan on August 28, 2026 with her family by her side. As a child, Sylvia immigrated to Canada by ship with her parents, John and Betty. Her family lived in several Saskatchewan communities, including Sanctuary and Estevan, before she moved to Regina to pursue teacher education. She often shared fond memories of a simple prairie and farm life. Those early years shaped her appreciation for hard work, humility and the simple things in life: values she carried with her and passed on to her loved ones.

Sylvia began teaching in northern Saskatchewan before returning to Regina to work with the Public School Board. She met her life partner, Blair, at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, and they married in 1984. Throughout her 32-year teaching career, Sylvia taught in several Regina public elementary schools and with special education. She was loved by her students and respected by their parents for her dedication, hard work and willingness to go above and beyond. Her care was expressed through the time, patience and encouragement she gave her students, helping them feel valued and supported.

Sylvia was known for her intuition, quiet wisdom, remarkable memory and gift for organization, alongside a compassionate nature and a deep understanding of others’ feelings. She faced life’s challenges with strength, determination and dedication. Above all, Sylvia’s family was her priority, especially her children, Michael, Rachel and Gabrielle. Her love and presence will be deeply missed.

Sylvia remained proudly connected to her English roots. Her love of England was woven into family life through her cooking, favourite books, poetry and authors, knowledge of history, British television and humor, and the art and decorations throughout her home. Some of her favorite foods were Fish and Chips, tomatoes on toast, roast beef, and Shepherd’s Pie. She was fortunate to return to England many times, enjoying its countryside and gardens, with Cleveleys/Blackpool, the Lake District and London among her favourite places.

She was also a lifelong fan of horror and science fiction, with an impressive knowledge of films, lore and trivia, and an extensive movie collection that continued to grow over the years. She knew her movies well, and this enthusiasm became a shared part of family life. Movie nights were always a highlight: A chance to enjoy the stories she loved and spend time together.

Sylvia had a lifelong love of nature and regularly explored nature trails across. An avid animal lover, she shared her life with three German Shepherds and later embraced being a “crazy cat lady.” Her animals held a special place in her heart and were cherished members of her family. She had a special connection with animals, showing them a gentleness and affection that reflected her deep compassion for them. Their comfort and well-being mattered deeply to her, and she gave them the love, care and kindness they deserved.

Our family expresses its gratitude for the wonderful care Sylvia received from the oncology and palliative care teams at Pasqua Hospital. At Sylvia’s request, there will be no public funeral.

Rest in peace until we meet again.