Sylvie Utick

Sylvie B'langer Utick, 56, of Gastonia, NC and Macon, GA died Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 in her Gastonia
home. Sylvie died of recurring glioblastomas (brain tumors) that not even modern medicine, a team of
medical professionals, and her love of broccoli could prevent. The family thanks all those caring people
involved in her treatment for the support they gave her these last eighteen months.
Sylvie was born in Montreal, Canada on August 30, 1955 to the late Louis Bergeron and Th'r'se Fortier
B'langer. She graduated from Ecole Polyvalente Daniel Johnson High School in 1973 and fashion design
school a year later prior to beginning her career in Montreal's extensive fashion industry. A fortuitous sailboat
cruise while vacationing with friends in Atlantic City led to her meeting her future husband, Fredrick. In spite
of the language barrier (Sylvie's native language was French) Sylvie and Fred became a couple whose romance
has lasted more than thirty-six years.
In this world of so many dark clouds, Sylvie's life was a beam of sunshine. She was a lover of people, pets,
especially big cats, and plants. She was a rescuer of strays, and a joy to all who knew her playful sense of
humor. She kept her husband laughing for all of their years together, no easy task if you know Fred. She was
a Master Gardener whose love of plants filled her homes with color and life. She could sew, cook, bake, and
play tennis. Just to be sure she could, she painted and constructed stained glass art.
Sylvie spent most of her life in Macon, Georgia while caring for her young family and multitude of cats. It
was there that she pursued her interest in tennis ' singles and doubles - traveling with her team to tournaments
in Chattanooga, TN and Tucson, AZ in 1997 for the USTA National Championships. Known for her
exceptional baking and cooking skills, Sylvie began her career of 15 years in the food service industry once
her children were in high school. She retired as a manager of a coffee shop at a local Macon college when she
began another career in Gastonia as grandmother to Xavier, her first grandchild. Her love of people and
baking was evident when in the midst of chemotherapy she took time to bake a baby shower cake for one of
the chemo nurses treating her. While always a Canadian at heart, she became a US citizen on April 08, 1999.
Surviving Sylvie are her husband of 36+ years, Fred; daughters, Josye Utick of Atlanta, GA; Elysabeth Utick
and husband Paul Lyon of Gastonia; grandson, Xavier Lyon; brothers Andre B'langer (Lise), Guy B'langer
(Louise); and sister Louise B'langer all of Montreal, Canada.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 3 PM at Withers & Whisenant
Funeral Home, Gastonia with the Reverend Dr. Larry Lyon officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
that memorials be made in her name to: Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar Street,
Lincolnton, NC 28092.