I want to take this opportunity to write some words regarding mum so that you know of her life story and achievements, and how she managed to touch so many people’s lives.
 
Mum, grandma, Sylvia or fondly known by many friends as ‘Sylvie’ was born on 29th of January 1948 in Windsor, and lived in Slough with a loving mother and father; Gladys & Eric Barnes. They later on welcomed into the world mum’s sister Denise Barnes and then her brother Derek Barnes. They resided in Slough for a number of years before having the wonderful opportunity to buy a piece of land up Blackpond Lane, in Farnham Common near Burnham Beaches, where they were able to build a house, formerly known as Robinscroft, in the 1950s, which was a wonderful family home which Mum spoke of with fun and fond memories of growing up with her sister and brother. 
 
Whilst living at Robinscroft, Mum attended the local schools with her lifelong friend, Carol.  When she left school, she carried out various jobs; one being an administrator within the NHS at Wrexham hospital. She then moved on to become anursery nurse/assistant at a nursery next to the fire station at the time in Slough.  Following this, Mum decided to make her own path and moved away down to Hastings where she lived with her Uncle Dennis and Aunt Muriel.  I know, from speaking with Uncle Denis and Aunt Muriel, they used to always say how much they enjoyed Mum being there.  Some may not know, but Mum used to drive a long time ago and it was with the help of Uncle Dennis that she achieved this. However, as I remember this, I recall him having a concerned look, but a big smile on face as her recounted the lessons,commenting that it was an experience that was, at times,unnerving when Mum was behind the wheel, and that Mum was not a natural at driving.
 
Whilst Mum lived down in Hastings she became very fond of the historic Town and again became a nursery nurse. Uncle Dennis was a keen Bellringer and rang the bells at St Clements Church and he took Mum with him to learn the ropes.  Unknowingly, this is where she met her soulmate, Paul Everest, my father, and her life with Dad took off.  In 1975,mum and dad got married at St Clements church in Hastings,which has always remained a big part of their life and always had a strong connection with really fond memories. From here, Dad was working for the NHS and had  the opportunity of a promotion and then sadly they had to leave Hastings and relocate to St Mary‘s Bay, where they lived for a number of years and welcomed their son (me) to the world, in 1977.   After a number of years, due to Dad’s job, we moved again and ended up relocating to the Isle of Sheppey and moved into a property on Minster Road.  Almost immediately, following the move, they both felt that it was ‘Home’ and quickly grew a strong love for the island and its community and soon fitted in.  From here on, after a few years, we moved to Nautilus Drive, just round the corner, where we met friends who are like extended family and lifelong friends; Kay and Alan Jennings and Linda and Dennis Woodward, very good friendswho have all been a great support to Mum and the Family over the years.  In 1984, mum then welcomed my sister Sam,their daughter, into the world.
 
Mum and Dad, as with many couples, needed more room, so this prompted the move into their long time family home in Admirals walk, where they again made great friends with the neighbours and became very good friends with Sandra & Richard.
 
During this whole period on the Island, Mum and Dad invested their time into the community with them becoming alarge part of the Minster Abbey, with Dad being the captain of bellringers for a good number years, where he taught people his hobby of Bell ringing, including myself.  
 
Mum, meantime, was a loving mother who also formed strong bonds throughout the community and wanted to do something that worked around the family, so then became what she was widely known for; ‘The lollipop lady of Halfway’ which she ended up doing for some 25 years before retiring from this in 2013. One memory that I had with mum, which made me smile, was how we always used to have a joke about how excited that Mum used to get every time the latest fluorescent lollipop uniform was issued, especially when the outfit became more agile and fashionable than the traditional long jacket!! However, all jokes aside, mum truly did love and enjoy that job so much and took it so serious with campaigning for lights, cameras and zebra crossings, all of which she obtained, as many of you would know, once mum had something in her sight she would do as much as possible to obtain it. 
 
Mum had a strong desire to help others and was a great listener, but not only would she listen, she would support and  try to come up with a solution to help things move forward.  To give you an idea of her dedication, Mum started off as just a neighbourhood watch Street coordinator but ended up getting far more involved and became the Kent neighbourhood watch coordinator, where she collected various awards for her service to the community. However,not only this, but she also ended up volunteering for victimssupport, local youth clubs, messy church, street pastor andsalvation army, so you can see that mum really did believe in the Sheppey community spirit. Mum had a wonderfully kind heart and, as you can see, always enjoyed helping people and as you could see from her smile she got so much reward from this. Mum had the ability to find and see good in everyone. Mum always referred to dad as the BFG (big friendly giant) but although mum did not have height in her favour she certainly had a big heart.  Mum always had an ear to listen, smile to comfort and the empathy to understand situations which brought comfort to many whilst receiving great comfort from seeing people moving forward from their struggles
 
One of Mums proudest moments was when she became a Grandma to her first granddaughter, Millie Everest, in 2009, Evie in 2013 and Darcey in 2018 and was always immensely proud to be called Grandma and built a wonderful relationship with them. Mum was a loving Mum and Grandma who enjoyed and got so much from her time spent with her family and Granddaughters which meant the world to her.
 
Sadly, dad passed away in 2013 and Mum’s wishes were to remain on the island as she so enjoyed the socialising and her home which she loved and knew.  Mum remained at the property for the next 2 years and then sadly Mum had her own battles with health and mobility which, over the years, took their toll, at which point we had the task of finding Mum a Care Home.  Connors House, in Canterbury, became Mum’s new home in 2019, where she quickly fitted in and enjoyed the social aspect and daily activities.  Mum quickly built bonds with the staff who, in Mum’s and our eyes, are amazing and really helped Mum and offered superb support and had the same qualities that Mum warmed to, which was kind and loving .
 
When I was asked to write a tribute I found it hard to think of what to put and what to say as feel it is very hard to put into words and I was worried that it would never do mum the justice and highlight the impact she had on so many lives over her time. I thought the best way that I could do this, as well as take comfort, pride and inspiration from, is to say the words that have been written from the community and friends that mum had on the Isle of Sheppey, these words are:
 
wonderful lady / caring kind lady / likeable / extremely proud of her family and her granddaughters / heart of gold / enjoy chatting to her / fondly remembered / lovely working with her / lovely to be around / bubbly and welcoming / one of the best people I knew in my life / massive heart / lovely, caring and kind / always had a smile for everyone / popular member of the community with a smile that brightened up Sheppey / Beautiful person inside and out / a massive smile that lights up the room
 
I’ve set up a tribute page for everyone to go to which is sylviaeverest.muchloved.com and I would encourage everyone to visit and ask you to share your memories of mum and post photos of Mum, so that we can show the grandchildren just exactly what their grandma was to others,and it will give myself and sister great comfort for something to refer to for many years and would enjoy to read all the wonderful stories that people have of mum
 
I’d like to thank everyone who is here today and also thank everyone who is unable to be here on behalf of the family, for the kind words and thoughts they have shared, as it truly means so much to me and my sister, especially the support we have received, memories that have been shared and I’ve been taken back by the community of Sheppey and support and kindness that has been shown during this difficult time
 
Due to mum’s love and passion of the Isle of Sheppey and love for the community, me and my sister felt it to be appropriate that instead of flowers we would find a worthy cause that is specific to the Isle of Sheppey for donations. After a short search we found a charity called ‘Sheppey Matters’ which gives back to the community on the island and we would ask that anyone wishing to make a donation, rather them flowers, we would like to support this wonderful charity and this can be done via the tribute page at sylviaeverest.muchloved.com