Sylvene Lilith Davoren

Obituary - Sylvene Lilith Davoren, née Matthews (Lapsey)
Sylvene, affectionately known as Sylla, Syl or Tantie Sylla was born on 10 March
1944 to Vivian (Josephine) & St. Clair Lapsey on the beautiful island of St. Kitts. 
She had a long and fruitful life but sadly, left us on 24 March 2025.  May she rest in
peace.
She is survived by the following:
* Her 5 children, Bridgette Marvo Davoren, Marcella Davida Davoren, Moses
W. E. Davoren (Junie), Charles Ian Davoren and Avonel S. Berridge, née
Davoren;
* 4 grandchildren, Denaé Davoren, Davia A.S. Berridge and Justin J. Berridge
and Amethyst Davoren;
* the remaining 7 of her 13 siblings, Victoreen Thompson née Lapsey, Clement
Matthew, Clyde Lapsey, Carol Holloway née Lapsey, Stedmon Lapsey and
Oscar Lapsey;
* many nieces and nephews, including, , Heather & Tessa Thompson, Tancia
Bridgewater, Sonia Matthew, Tishan Phillip, Ashanda Lapsey, Valencia
Hanley, Valencia Richardson, Tenelle Lapsey, Maluska Lapsey, Elizabeth
Lapsey, Shania Lapsey, Turkessa Williams, Vernon Taylor, Brent
Hendrickson, Dion Mills, Avan Lapsey, Elvis Forbes, Javed & Renclair
Lapsey, Abijah Lapsey, Yelson Lapsey, Ipheba Daniel, Zardia Lapsey,
Darnell Lapsey, Braydon Tefler, Antonio & Hartley Lapsey.  

When Sylvene left school, she went to work to help raise her younger siblings.  She
later got married and was a stay-at-home mom for many years.  She later returned
to the workforce and was employed at the government crèche in St. Johnson Village
until she left St. Kitts for New York in 1981.
Once settled in New York, she worked as a home health aide, a job at which she
excelled because she treated her charges with dignity and respect.  She (reluctantly)
retired in 2015 when she was no longer physically able to do so.
Sylvene enjoyed a life in which religion played a central role.  Although she was
raised in the Catholic religion, she decided later to make a change to the Baptist
denomination on the island.  She continued practicing her faith throughout her life.
Over the years, she made many friends in St Kitts and the United States.  She
maintained lasting relationships with her childhood friends, Gillian Queely-Ryan,
Mella Hancock, Nellie Stapleton, who she met as a member of the church and Mrs.
Moses who she struck up a friendship with when she came to New York.
She will be sorely missed by her family, friends and those whose lives she touched.
Her legacy of kindness, willingness to forgive, faithfulness, loyalty and overall
honesty will endure for a very long time.