Surrounded with the love of her family, Sylvia passed away at Arbor Creek Care Centre, Stoney Creek, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. She was in her 90th year. Beloved wife of Kresimir “Chris” for 70 years. Loving mother to Michael (Trudy) and Nick (Jackie). Proud Nana to Alex (Kassandra), Daniel (Kelly), James (Chelsea), Stefani (Brad), Lauren, Evan and Erin (Brandon). Cherished Great-Nana to Lucy, Scarlett, Ben, Hanna and Malcolm. Dear sister to the late George Jovanovic, the late Ljupče and the late Ruža Jovanovic. Much-loved aunt to Jelena Kolicic and her son Alexander (Jelena), and Vasa Kolicic. Sylvia will also be fondly remembered by many extended family and friends here in Canada, Australia, Serbia, Sweden, USA and France.
Sylvia suffered the trials of a poor immigrant to Canada and worked very hard to raise herself, and her family, from poverty to success. She had an immense talent in the garment industry and fashion design. Her own success in the wedding gown design and production business led her to become accepted as a professor in fashion design at Mohawk College, Hamilton. She did it all for the sake of her family. She persevered through multiple illnesses and beat breast cancer. She could not beat vascular dementia to which she rapidly succumbed. She has earned her peace and her place with God.

Visitation at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 454 Highway #8 (east of Millen Road) STONEY CREEK (905-664-4222) on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 4 – 8 pm, where the Funeral Service will take place on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:00 am Interment at Woodland Cemetery in Burlington. If desired, memorial contributions to Alzheimer Society or Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com
A little more about Sylvia…
Sylvia was the third youngest of four siblings, born in Sip, Serbia, by the shores of the Danube River. She took great pride in her school performance and prowess in multiple languages. She was only 19 years of age when she married Chris (Kresimir) in Belgrade, on August 7th, 1955, and where their first son Mike (Miodrag) was born. They eventually emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where their second son, Nick (Nikola) was born. The family then moved to Hamilton, Ontario, in 1969.
Sylvia & Chris worked extremely hard all their lives in multiple business ventures, such as a restaurant, perfume manufacturing, insulation installation, and more. Sylvia developed talent in sewing as a young girl and spent much of her time in the garment industry, employed by the likes of London Fog, where she became a supervisor. She eventually applied her talent to dress design and very proud to have been accepted as a professor in fashion design at Mohawk College, Hamilton. She developed her own successful business in wedding gown designs and production.

Sylvia enjoyed knowing her great-grandchildren and took great pride in her family. Together they celebrated her 89th birthday just under three months before her passing. She passed away two days before her 70th wedding anniversary. Sylvia survived breast cancer, and many other challenges sent her way, but both she and Chris eventually suffered vascular dementia; the final tragedy they could not defeat. However, the couple have established a family dynasty in Canada that will persevere in their honor, God willing.