The family announces with profound sadness her passing at the Timmins and District Hospital on July 31, 2022 at the age of 83 years. Adored and beloved wife of the late Urgel Gravel (2019) and cherished mother of Ryan (Donna) and Darquise Gravel-Skinner (partner Shawn Fougère). The best grandmother (“LuLu”) of Mia and Serena Gravel along with Alicia, Kaitlyn, and Adam Skinner. She was predeceased by her precious granddaughter Renée Skinner (2017). Bonus grandmother to Ethan Smith whom she adored. Dear sister of Shirley Wilson (Greg), Dale Quinn (Desi) and Jim Cotnam (Sue). She is predeceased by her brothers Wayne, Bobby, Joe, Lorne (late Vivianne) and Lenny Cotnam and sister-in-law Thérèse Mireault (late Charles). She is survived by her sister/brother-in-laws Lorraine Cotnam, Joanne Cotnam, Gisèle Fauvelle, Roger Gravel (Suzanne), Laurier Gravel (Rachel), Lisette Cloutier (late Maurice), Madeleine Hnatyshen (late Gerry), and Georgette Théroux (late Henri). She will be sadly missed by Jamie Skinner and family as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mom worked as the Director of Medical Records at St Mary’s Hospital for over 25 years. She was best known in the community for her incredible fundraising efforts. She served on the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation for 11 years and raised over $20 million. She then advocated for the Arts program at O’Gorman High School and raised $1.2 million to build a new theatre at O’Gorman which, to her surprise, was later named The Sylvia Gravel Theatre in her honour. She was so humbled. She also raised enough funds to build several bedrooms at the House of Kin in Sudbury. She spent many days and nights canvassing door to door for the Canadian Heart and Stroke as well as the Canadian Cancer Society. Her efforts were like no other. As she said “We are taught to always give to those less fortunate and strong and that is what I’ve done with my life”. Mom loved her family most of all. She was best known for her gift to sing and talk. She would talk for hours about anything and everything. She loved to sing her sometimes off-side songs at weddings and gatherings like only she could do! Her family was her world. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her siblings, children, and 6 grandchildren who she loved “to the moon and back”. She taught us about compassion, patience, humour, humility, and devotion. But most of all, she taught us about perseverance, love, and faith in God. We are heartbroken but find comfort in knowing that Mom is pain-free and has been reunited with Dad for eternity. We will miss you beyond words but we know that your legacy will live on in each and everyone of us. God bless you Mom.

Funeral service will be held from the St-Joseph church on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 1pm (Fr. Simon Drapeau officiating). A lunch reception will follow from the Miron-Wilson Funeral Home. Remembrance donations to the Renée Skinner Memorial Fund, The House of Kin Sudbury or The Timmins and District Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Family will receive friends on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 11 am to 12:30 pm from the MIRON-WILSON FUNERAL HOME, Cremation and Reception Centre, 150 Balsam St. S., Timmins.