Obituary of Sylvia Henne Wickham

Sylvia Morgan Henne Wickham of Belfast, Maine passed on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 29, 2021 at Harbor Hill Nursing Home. Her loving daughter, Babette, was by her side. Sylvia was born to John William Morgan and Frances Adrienne Philip on September 16th,1921 in Drumheller, Alberta. She was raised by her grandmother Gasparine Muler, who she called “Mémé,” in Nice, France. As a young girl she enjoyed the outdoors especially hiking in the Alps. Sylvia moved to the East Coast with most of her years living in New Jersey. She married Richard Bush Henne and they had two children together: Bruce Richard and Babette Henne Nealey. Sylvia took delight and encouraged her children in their activities. She was also very welcoming to their friends and would take time out of her day to teach them French. Her care for others developed strong foundations that carried on through Bruce and Babette. She remained very supportive of their pursuits and together shared in the bond of faith. After raising her children, Sylvia was employed as an overseas telephone operator for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. Since she spoke both English and French, she decided to expand her language skills even more and began studying Spanish. Sylvia had an enthusiastic interest in other people. She was a wonderful hostess and always ensured her guests felt comfortable. Having a great sense of humor, she found laughter to be the best medicine. Her days were filled with various activities including visiting with friends, exercising, knitting, crocheting, French cooking, home décor, tending flower gardens, bird watching, watercolor painting and attending both French and Spanish clubs even after she moved to Maine. Sylvia had a deep interest in reading the Bible and came to trust Jesus Christ as her Savior. She was very active in her church and Bible studies. Psalm 56 was one of her favorite passages which in part reads, “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? …In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.” The Christian song, “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” was also very meaningful to her. Though at times she suffered much, she did not complain. Her trials strengthened her confidence in the plans God had for her life. After being widowed, Sylvia married Robert Anthony Wickham. They enjoyed their time together especially when they traveled to Europe and Israel. Sylvia will be remembered by her two children Bruce and Babette, her daughter-in-law Linda, as well as her five grandchildren: Christine Henne, Rachel (Luis) Rosales, Laura (John) MacKay; Michelle (Gus) Nealey Lira and James (Elizabeth) Nealey. She will also be in the thoughts of her former son-in-law Jim, her extended family both in France and the United States as well as her Harbor Hill friends who cared for her. Her legacy will be one of great love for God and kindness to others. There will be a graveside service at Grove Cemetery in Belfast on Monday, May 24th at 2 PM. Arrangements are with Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast, Maine. ripostafh.com