With heavy hearts, we want to let everyone know that Sylvia (Shipley) Hord passed away peacefully in her home on Friday February 3rd, 2023. She was with her husband Ken and her two daughters, Tara-Lyn and Shawna.

Sylvia is survived by her husband, Ken Hord, of 57 years; her daughter Tara-Lyn Ashley and son-in-law Stephen Ashley and their two children, Adam Wilkinson Ashley and Abigail Victoria Ashley; her daughter Shawna Kristine Dingman and son-in-law Craig Steven Dingman and their 3 children, Jackson Scott Dingman, Jenna Hudson Dingman and Cole Steven Dingman; and her brother Beverly Thomas Shipley.

Sylvia grew up on a dairy farm in Lobo Township, north of London Ontario. She was the older child of Harry and Margaret Shipley. She graduated from Medway High School in Arva and went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in London, Ontario. She practiced nursing at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington for over 30 years.

Sylvia was an incredible wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was her passion. She and her husband Ken built a family cottage in the 1980’s to become a haven for family time. Tara and Shawna have years of wonderful memories growing up on the Severn River during the summers. Ken and Sylvia continued this family legacy with their 5 grandchildren. The whole family share stories of adventures with Grammy and Grampy on the boat, on the river and around the cottage.

Sylvia is remembered as a caring, compassionate and faithful friend. The many emails and texts we have received mention her repeatedly as a kind and loving person. As a mother, she was fiercely proud and supportive of her kids and grandkids. She was our greatest cheerleader. As a wife, she was loving, loyal and adventurous. She and Ken have travelled to every continent in the world together, sharing trips and tales most of us will only dream of. Sylvia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019. She fought this disease bravely and stoically. Her positive attitude in the face of pain and struggle is inspiring to all of us who were around her.

Special thanks goes to Dr. Charles Lim of the Carlo Vidani Cancer Centre at the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga and his nurse, Michelle Li. We also want to thank Dr. Chris Lund and nurses Jessie, Catrina, Colleen, Tara and Matea of the Waterloo-Wellington Home and Community Care Services as well as the Bayshore Home Care Team. Sylvia trusted you and felt cared for and respected through her journey.

Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church 365 Queen St. E., Acton on Saturday, March 11, 2023,

with visitation from 1 – 3 p.m., service to follow at 3 p.m.

We thank all of you who have reached out to us by phone, text and email to extend your condolences. Donations can be made to Wellspring Cancer Support (Birmingham Gilgan House), The MS Society, or the Rockwood Food Bank.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39