Sylvia Anne Crooks passed away peacefully in Vancouver on May 26, 2022, at the age of 85, surrounded by her family and friends. Born in Nelson, BC, in 1936 to Tom and Agnes (Culleton) Shorthouse, Sylvia never lost her connection to her birthplace. She visited regularly, fostered close friendships from her childhood, and maintained a website for her graduating class, www.nhs54.com.

Sylvia left Nelson after high school to pursue a BA in English at UBC, where she met her husband Michael and worked as a reporter and editor for the Ubyssey. After graduation, Sylvia and Michael moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where Michael completed his doctorate at Yale University. Sylvia developed a lifelong interest in librarianship while working at the Yale University Library. After returning to Vancouver, Sylvia remained busy. She raised three children while simultaneously working as a volunteer at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and a writer for the CBC quiz show, Reach for the Top. Sylvia's enduring intellect ultimately brought her back to UBC in her 40s to pursue a Master's degree in Library Science, graduating with top honours in 1983. Sylvia then joined the faculty of her alma mater, the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, where she taught until retiring in 2002.

Sylvia's first of many lifetime achievements came at an early age. As a teenager, she won the BC Provincial Championship in badminton and served as Prime Minister of the Nelson High School student council. Sylvia became a nationally recognized authority in Library Science and served as the President of the BC Library Association. Sylvia published several books related to library sciences during her career. During her retirement, inspired by childhood memories, she published notable books documenting the lives of the men listed on the WWI and WWII cenotaphs in Nelson. One of her books received an honourable mention in 2005 by the BC Historical Federation. She was an avid supporter of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the BC Library Association, and the Nelson Historical Society.

Sylvia will be remembered fondly as an endlessly selfless and compassionate influence on the lives of everybody who knew her. Her friends and family will dearly miss her kindness, warm smile, and infectious laugh. They will bring back memories of times together with the help of a lifetime of her recipes written in a carefully curated cookbook.

Sylvia is predeceased by her husband, Michael, and daughter Anne. She is survived by her brothers, Tom, Robert, and David Shorthouse, sons Geoff and Brian Crooks, and grandchildren Clayton Vanvolkenburg, Alex, Brittany, Aidan, and Caleb Crooks.

A celebration of life will be held at Jack Poole Hall, on July 08, 2022 at 13:00. You may click here to RSVP for the celebration of life. And you may click here to post your memories and condolences. Please consider a donation in her name to the Vancouver Hospice Society.