To Sybil Echeverria Webb, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Sybil, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Sybil really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.
Sybil was born on May 1, 1942 at Dr. LeBlanc's Clinic in Donaldsonville, La. Her parents were Theodore "Teddy" and Olive Echeverria. Sybil was raised in Donaldsonville, La. Even as a child, Sybil had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.
Always a good playmate, Sybil was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Sybil managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Sybil was raised with three siblings. She had an older half-brother, Theodore Jr. "Bozo" and two younger sisters, Pupy and Beetsy.
All of Sybil's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Sybil experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in basketball and softball. She was a cheerleader. In her spare time she liked to dance and play cards. Sybil's memorable achievements included receiving several trophies for all tournament basketball.
Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Sybil was a class “cut-up.” She didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Sybil simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Sybil, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was Sybil's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Sybil graduated from Donaldsonville High School. In 1960. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Home Economics. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Keith Falcon. Some of Sybil's accomplishments in high school were being head cheerleader, all district basketball and being on the Homecoming Court.
Sybil never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Sybil to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Sybil delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Sybil was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Sybil utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Bonnie Rivet, Carolanne Regira, Beverly Scioneaux, Marlene Noel, and Virginia Martinez. Later in life, she became friends with Blanchard and Phayne Braud, Berry and Rita Blair, Al and Addie Retif, and Margaret Hidalgo. Sybil loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.
The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Sybil very easy to approach. On July 24, 1961 Sybil exchanged wedding vows with Frederick Wayne Webb at Ascension Catholic Church of Donaldsonville, La. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.
Perhaps the reason Sybil related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Sybil was blessed with four children, one daughter, Wendy and three sons, Wayne, Ward, and Andy. They were also blessed with twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Granchildren: Jalayne, Jana, Jaci, Julie, Megan ,Logan, Teddy, Trey, Dru, Mia, Sarah, and Bubba. Great grandchildren: Clay, Cale, and Braeson. Sybil had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Sybil's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Sybil had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.
At work, as in life, Sybil was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Sybil liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Sybil was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Sybil's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Sybil as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was being a primary school secretary. She was employed for the Ascension Parish School Board for 10 years.
Sybil enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Sybil liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, visiting casinos, and loving her family to the fullest. Sybil was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.
Sybil felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Sybil loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Sybil relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Sybil never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Sybil played basketball and softball. Sybil was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were youth baseball and football.
Sybil had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Sybil's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Throughout her later years, Sybil was an active member of the East Ascension High School Booster Club.
Living life in the fast lane suited Sybil just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included the Gulf Coast and Disney World.
Sybil believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 2007, Sybil took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Sybil remained busy with people and projects. Even in retirement, Sybil continued to stay in touch with her old friends and, since she'd never met a stranger, she made plenty of new acquaintances as well.
Sybil passed away on December 3, 2009 at home in Gonzales, La. Sybil fought a long and brave battle with numerous illnesses. She is survived by her husband Fred, four children, Wendy, Wayne, Ward and Andy, numerous grandchildren and two sisters. Services were held at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, La. Sybil was laid to rest in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetary in Prairieville,La.
Sybil brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Sybil Echeverria Webb lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.
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