Our family extends condolences to the entire Mrs. Sylvia's family. 

We got to know Sylvia based on a referral by two nurse friends working at the same hospital with me. They both had children studying piano with her and spoke words of praise and strong recommendations.  My friends' descriptions were no match for how we felt when we got to meet and know Mrs. Sylvia, for who she truly was: 

A woman of character and professional integrity, dedicated to her students, while loving and funny at the same time.  Sylvia was the kind of teacher that never stopped her class just because her wall clock chimed in the time; she stopped her teaching when she has completed the lesson for the day and felt assured enough that her pupil has got it.  She was a mother towards every pupil she had, instilling discipline and grit in the students less gifted or inclined towards practice.

On a personal level, Mrs. Sylvia became a personal, and a family friend who, around a cup of black tea with a drop of milk, played the role of a therapist as well, listening to my many worries or complaints. I found her to have tremendous wisdom, and I hold to my heart to this day many of the advice she gave me. At the memorial service Moira mentioned a conversation she had with her mom about love being a choice or a feeling, with the two of them each being on the opposite pole. I smiled, because I immediately recognized Sylvia in that comment.

I will have to say that I believe both of you to have been right: While love first happens as this amazing feeling, it is one's conscious choice to hold on to love, to remain in love, that passes the test of time.  

I will really, really miss our many conversations around those cups of tea....  

I understand very well how she remained in love with her beloved John, and I am jealous to this moment for their late evenings, nurturing their relationship and reconnecting after a busy day around a glass of scotch, after the children went to bed. 

Sylvia's family became my own as well, as we were both sharing memories from our native lands, Romania and Australia, specifically.  Mrs. Sylvia graced several of our house parties with her lovely presence (she would always bring me potted azaleas, that somehow, I consistently managed to kill !!), and many of our friends are also extending condolences and regrets at the news of her passing.

I have tremendous love and respect for all of you, Moira, Aimee, Heather, Duncan, for having allowed her to spend her last years in the comfort of her own home. You could not have done better than you did!!!

I thank you all for the memoir book "My Life Story" by Sylvia Mary McIntosh, which arrived today. I will cherish it till the end of my own days and reach to it whenever I will want to feel close to this dear friend that is now into heavenly peace.

It's been a privilege to have known Mrs. Sylvia, and to be a part of your family in all these years. I thank you all. I am extending an invitation to our house, to chat some more around a glass of wine.  

Love and peace; thanks and gratitude to you all. Fairwell to our darling Sylvia.

In the summer of 1969, I met Sylvia at the Eddy Park pre-school program for children 3 years and older in South Pasadena. Sylvia was so friendly and caring and had a beautiful Australian accent, which was more familiar to me than American English having grown up in British India. She brought her daughter Heather to the pre-school program, and I brought my daughter Annette, and they had a great time playing together. The program ended when the summer season was over, thus ending our contact with each other.

In 1970, Paul, my husband and I bought a new house on Via del Rey in South Pasadena, and to my great joy and amazement I found that Sylvia and her husband John lived in a house right across the street from us with their two children Heather and Duncan! It was a real blessing that the McIntoshes lived right across the street as I got know and liked Syliva so much from our time chatting at the pre-school.

As Paul and I had no relatives or family in Los Angeles, the McIntoshes became our “family”. It was another blessing as I was expecting a baby in early December, and with many doctors’ appointments and eventually the stay at the hospital for Christopher’s birth, Sylvia graciously took care of Annette who was happy to spend more time with Heather.

The McIntoshes had a swimming pool in their backyard and Syliva invited her friends and neighbors’ children over to swim. Sylvia had a “sink or swim” approach to swimming lessons and that’s how Christopher learnt to swim after being tossed in the pool, of course to waiting arms.

Not only was Sylvia’s home always open to friends in the neighborhood, she was a good councilor and advisor to those with problems. Her home was a “meeting place” for many of her neighbors. We remember Sylvia so very fondly and take comfort she is now with John and her dear family members in joy and much blessing – much love from Chiuying Wu.

I was so sorry to hear of Sylvias passing  she and John became our family our first couple of years in CA she was so kind and generous with her hospitality and helped me through some rough spots  We originally met in Melbourne University Choral Society. I really missed her when we moved to Indiana but we kept in touch  mainly at Christmas for more than 50 years. She touched the lives of so many. Peace to you all.

Jocelyn Grutzner

My condolences to Sylvia's family and friends. 

I grew up knowing 'Auntie Syliva' was special to my mother; her childhood friend from down the boulevard in Ivanhoe.  Testament to their enduring and life long friendship Sylvia did me the honour of accepting the role of being my godmother when I was baptised. 

Growing up it was quite exciting having a godmother that lived in America and when she'd visit it was even more thrilling than a visit from the Queen! She always smiled, laughed, hugged, sang and spoke of her love and pride in her family which I think extended to the many students she taught over the years.

Her generous spirit was always overflowing when we got a chance to visit her and John.

I will miss my mother's reports after speaking to Sylvia; her visits, news of her family; most of all we'll all miss catching up with Syliva.

Vale Sylvia