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Sylvia was born in Plymouth on 22 February 1939, the only child of William “Clifford” Cook and Phyllis (nee Pawlby) (1)
As an only child, Sylvia was very bonded to her cousins on the Pawlby side who lived in Cornwall (Wendy and Penny, and Ian)
The Cook family left Plymouth sometime after the onset of WW2, but not to escape the blitz- as they moved to Coventry which was equally hard hit by the Luftwaffe. Rather, the move was to facilitate the electronics work that Clifford was engaged in, as a consequence whilst doing important work for the war effort, he avoided armed conflict but did volunteer as an air-raid warden. They stayed on in Coventry, with Sylvia attending St Joseph’s (2), and later Barrs Hill girls school, until “O” levels.
Her best friend at school was Sylvia Baker (3)-two Sylvias in the same class, one a Baker, the other a Cook!
One of Sylvia’s favourite memories was a 1951 trip to london for the festival of Britain.
After Sylvia finished secondary school the Cook family returned to Plymouth. It appears Sylvia left at least one broken hearted suitor behind- subsequently making his way to Devon in a desperate but unsuccessful bid to win her back
In 1955 they were living at 5 Duke St, Plymouth, before eventually settling in a bungalow in Gower Ridge Rd, Plymstock.
Clifford was to open an electronics shop “RadioParts”- from where the first television set in Plymouth was sold (4)
Sylvia worked at RadioParts and enjoyed a lively social life, in the good company of friends (5)
Sylvia passed her driving test (June 1960) 20, Saltash St, and this gave her freedom to roam.
There was also lots of dancing, and after an earlier engagement that was “broken off”, it was at the Prince Regent club, Union St in July 1964 that she first met William (Bill), who was enjoying some shore leave from the Merchant Navy.
Sylvia and Bill were married at St Warbughs church, Wembury, on 05 October 1966.
They bought and lived in a bungalow at 77 Staddiscombe Rd (6), where in due course the first two children arrived- Greg (1967) and Mark (1971).
In 1977 they moved to Alfred St in Plymouth, and soon after came the arrival of her third and final child, Naomi.
A loving mother, in due course Sylvia was to become a doting grandmother (from 2003)
William established himself as a leading antiquarian map and print-dealer at Foxsmith Galleries, Southside St. where Sylvia was a supportive helper.
Shortly after William’s retirement, he was diagnosed with Alzheimers, and Sylvia cared for him until his needs were such that he required nursing care. Sylvia visited until William passed away, living independently and maintaining a busy social life.
Sylvia had many interests, including theatre and literature, being a keen member of a reading club which often convened at her address as well as residential trips, often contributing poetry of her own.
The Government lock-down and restrictions during the pandemic took a big toll, as it did for so many elderly people living alone who were deprived of the social interactions necessary for a meaningful quality of life.
Sylvia moved to supported accommodation in Yelverton, but after a fall was hospitalised in Derriford during the later stages of Covid. She was there for months, with no visitors allowed. After an attempted return to the supported accommodation, Devon Social Services intervened and moved her for a “temporary assessment” to an abysmal “care” home called Hart Care. There after a period of neglect, her physical and mental health rapidly deteriorated, family were unable to visit, but after an SOS call she was taken by ambulance to hospital, severely dehydrated.
Thankfully after months of being nursed back to health at the wonderful Tavistock Community hospital, Sylvia with the support of family moved to a decent care home, where she saw out her final days before passing away peacefully in her sleep in February 2023.
Her funeral was well attended and a celebration of her early life.
Sylvia is greatly missed by friends and family alike. In addition to the three children, she is missed by her grandchildren.
Sylvia Foxsmith, RIP, 1939-2023
1 William Clifford Cook 20/11/1911-29/12/1987, Phyliss Joan Pawlby 26/10/1913-29/02/2001
2 later known as Crackley Hall https://www.crackleyhall.co.uk/history-crackley
3 Sylvia B. married Alan to become Sylvia Sakne, stayed in Coventry, had two children Russell and Sita, who the Foxsmith children knew through childhood. I would love to hear from there but cannot trace- any ideas? GF
4. RadioParts- Originally at 63 Old Town St, later Market Way.
5. These lifelong friends included Frances, whose daughter Tracey was Sylvias god-daughter, Gerry (godmother to Greg, whose husband Malcolm was best man at their wedding) Vanessa and Ann (both godmothers to Naomi). Also, through William, friends such as John Pickles (god-father to Mark)
6. When they first bought, the address was still “Staddon Close”, later renamed to Staddiscombe Rd. The phone number was Plymouth 43563!
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