A former lollipop lady who kept Sheppey’s schoolchildren safe on the roads for 25 years has died, aged 72.
Sylvia Everest, who started helping pupils cross the road in the 1980s, passed away at Connors House care home in Canterbury on Sunday, January 17 after contracting Covid-19 the week before.
Sylvia Everest as she was about to retire from her duties as a lollipop lady in Halfway in 2013
Mrs Everest was born in Windsor on January 29, 1948.
She went to school in the historic market town before training to become a nursery nurse in Hastings and Slough.
While working in Hastings, she met and went on to marry Paul Everest in 1975.
The couple moved to St Mary’s Bay near Dymchurch and had their son, Philip, two years later.
Soon after, they moved to Sheppey and went on to have a daughter, Samantha, in 1984.
Sylvia with her daughter Samantha
The couple, who lived in Admirals Walk, Halfway, were very active in the community up until Mr Everest died after suffering a heart attack in 2013.
Mrs Everest stayed in the family home until she moved into Connor’s House about 18 months ago.
She started out as the lollipop lady at Danley Middle School in 1988 after approaching the school herself to ask if they wanted one. She had been looking at the road and worrying about how dangerous it was.
A move to Halfway primary came a year later and then she worked between the two schools until Danley closed in 2009.
Mrs Everest decided to retire from the post in 2013 after a fall the previous year and an injury to her hip which was causing walking to be very painful.
Sylvia and granddaughter Evie
Paying tribute to his mother, Philip, who lives in Maidstone, said: “She had a real zest for life and was a much-loved mum and grandma.
"She always had time for others and always put others before herself.
“Mum had always been active in the community, as was my dad, and she enjoyed her volunteer work.
"She was a street pastor and helped people on the streets, giving them guidance, she was the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Kent, she volunteered at the Victim Support charity and she was a big part of Minster Abbey and The Salvation Army.”
He added: “She would see the good in everyone.
Sylvia with granddaughter Millie
"That’s why she started up youth clubs too, to try and keep youngsters entertained and off the streets where they could, potentially, get into trouble.
"She’ll be sorely missed by many.”
Mrs Everest’s funeral is set to take place on Thursday, February 25.
A service will be held at Minster Abbey, followed by a committal at The Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing.
The family has asked that instead of flowers, donations are made to Sheppey Matters.
Sylvia with her granddaughter Darcey
As well as Philip and Samantha, Mrs Everest leaves three granddaughters: Millie, 12, Evie, seven, and Darcey, three.