Sylvia Ann Macmahon

Sylvia MacMahon (formerly Prentice), beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, mentor and friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 22nd at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria BC, after a brief battle with Cancer.

Throughout Sylvia’s life, she touched many people through her work as a midwife and a nurse (in both the UK and Canada), through her volunteer work in the community, running and walking groups, and of course the inspiration she brought during her daily pilgrimages on Dallas Rd.

Sylvia was born in Brackley UK in 1944, the second of 4 sisters. At the age of 17 she went into nursing and that took her from England, to Toronto, and then to Banff Springs Hotel which sparked a love for travel. This of course led her to apply for a nursing position with Canadian Pacific Ships and she grasped the opportunity to see new countries. After meeting her former husband aboard and starting a family, they moved further west finally landing in Victoria. Sylvia worked hard and loved her profession, but once on the west coast she was introduced to running.

Sylvia began running at the age of 37, and was a celebrated member of both the Semiahmoo Sun Runners and the Prairie Inn Harriers. During her running career, she ran a total of 19 marathons, competed in the Nationals in Moncton NB amongst many other shorter distance races all in a unique style of her own while dominating in her category. She eventually traded her runners for walking shoes and completed the Great Walk from Tahsis to Gold River (65km), the 60km Walk for Breast Cancer, and twice walked the Camino de Santiago (both Spain and Portugal) solo in her late 60’s and 70’s. During Covid (2020 to 2022) she walked over 13,420km completing various ‘virtual challenges’ during her daily 15-25km treks along Dallas Road for which she has been a morning fixture. Sylvia often called walking her “medication and meditation”. Her volunteer work in an orphanage in Kampala and at the Royal BC Museum, as well as her membership with Grannies for Africa were all things she was proud of. Sylvia's determination and motivation inspired many, and her generosity, warmth, kindness and strong desire to help others will be forever remembered by everyone she touched.

We’d like to celebrate the life, love and joy that Sylvia brought to us all. We invite you to join family, friends and community in a walk to celebrate what Sylvia loved to do. We will begin at the Sundial at Ogden Point, walk the Breakwater and then along Dallas Road east towards Ross Bay and back. The route is here: https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/5325565876/. It is an out and back route so join for as far as you’d like. In true Sylvia style, be sure to wear your favourite earrings and lipstick and join our family to celebrate this small but mighty woman who touched us all. We will go rain or shine so dress appropriately for the weather. The walk will conclude at the James Bay Community School where we can gather and celebrate her life in a short tribute. Refreshments and light snacks will be served. Bring some of your fond memories of Sylvia to share!

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead.

Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow.

Just walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus

Saturday December 17th, 2022

8:30am - 11am - Meet at the Ogden Point sundial for an ‘up to’ 10km ‘Walk with Sylvia’

11:30am - 1:00 pm - James Bay Community Centre, 140 Oswego St, Victoria BC V8V 2B1

https://www.earthsoption.com/obituaries/Sylvia-Ann-MacMAHON?obId=26474620#/celebrationWall

Please contact Sean at 416-948-5816 for more information or if you have questions. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to BC Cancer.

You can see her Covid walk story on Chek News here: https://www.cheknews.ca/chek-upside-retired-nurse-takes-on-walking-mission-to-combat-covid-blues-665898/