Sylvia Drew

Smiling while helping others in so many ways. This passion started with teaching Reception and Nursery aged children at Morice Town Primary School, a total of 35 years. I know the children loved her having met past pupils when I was out and about with Sylvia. On many occasions I would hear " Miss Drew, Miss Drew" and yes it was someone Sylvia had taught. I had to ask "was she a good teacher ?" The answer was always strict but very good. After retiring she chose volunteering and supported adults with mental health problems at the Crossroads Centre within Morice Baptist Church, going onto completing 11 years with Saltram as a Room Steward. Sadly at this point in her life she was hit with a cancer diagnosis and an operation followed with many weeks of treatment. By October 2015 she received the all clear and returned to Ford Park Cemetery Visitors' Centre where she helped in the cafe on a voluntary basis every Tuesday. It was here she decided to host a Macmillan Coffee morning in August 2016.What many people may not know is that Sylvia had another interest - baking cakes especially her signature creations, whiskey tea loaf and lemon drizzle cake. There were so many delicious homemade goods on sale which raised over £1200. She decided it would be her first and last event, she would however join myself and team. As time went by Sylvia seemed to get sucked into Macmillan Fundraising and took part in all kinds of activities, included hosting her own quizzes, £1 day, Pirate event and many more coffee mornings. She loved to be part of the team and enjoyed getting to know our supporters and their families. Often she was faced with situations where she was way out of her comfort zone especially at events where we were in costume, at first she wasn't keen but after receiving nothing but positive feedback she took it in her stride, looking forward to putting on crazy outfits to entertain the patients in Derriford Hospital as part of fundraising in the Mustard Tree. Sylvia would take a trolley of homemade goods around the wards dressed as Mrs Christmas, Little Bo Peep or an angel depending on the time of year. Sadly in October 2018 the cancer returned and another journey commenced. She decide to give up her voluntary role in the cafe at Ford Park and cut down her cake making but continued with her Macmillan role only missing events if they clashed with her treatment. With such bravery she embarked on more chemotherapy which moved to Nuffield Hospital due to Covid. Catching the bus every 3 weeks from February - September 2020 to the hospital, she said was safe being the only one on it. By September the cancer had progressed and her treatment was changed to an oral chemo, sadly the scan in December showed further progression and all treatment ceased. She went down hill quickly becoming so weak and unable to do very much. She passed away in her sleep in the early hours of Wednesday 17 March. Positive and brave throughout an amazing lady who will be so missed.