WATSON, Fay
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It is with profound sorrow that we share the peaceful passing of our loving mom, Fay Elizabeth Watson, to whom we said goodbye on June 30, 2021.
Fay was born on March 5, 1939, in Jarvie, Alberta, to Caroline (‘Bill’) and Raymond Craney. The family relocated and made a permanent home in Okanagan Falls, BC, and it was there that she grew up. Always eager for adventure, mom left home at 16 to journey north to Fort St. James where, for a period of time, she worked trading furs for the Hudson Bay Trading Post before returning to the Okanagan in the mid-1950s.
It was around this time that mom met Ed Watson at a party in Penticton, BC while making coconut rum. And while the batch was ruined (“lousy” as dad recalls) and had to be thrown out, mom didn’t care, declaring to a girlfriend that same night that “that’s the man I’m going to marry” (despite the fact that dad was already engaged at the time).
Dad always said there was “no escaping” mom.
Fay and Ed were married in Penticton on February 11, 1961, and welcomed their firstborn, Jay, their eldest son, a suspiciously short period of time later.
Dad’s work with the Mutual Life Assurance company took the family all over the Okanagan Valley, and in 1963, after having relocated to Kelowna, Fay and Ed welcomed their daughter Jill. Less than a year later they were in Vernon, and in 1966 their son Jeff was born. As if that wasn’t enough, that same year saw another move – this time to Nelson, BC.
The time spent in Nelson was always very special to her. It was there that mom became a dedicated volunteer for the Nelson Kinette Club, eventually serving as President, and also where mom’s love of golf was born. Mom’s talent quickly became apparent, and she went on to collect several tournament trophies over the years while building lifelong friendships with the many people she met on the golf course.
Mom was a force to be reckoned with. Fun-loving, irreverent, whip-smart and witheringly sarcastic, she was always up for a party and always the last to leave. She loved camping especially, and that is where she taught us poker and the kind of fiscal responsibility that comes from losing all of one’s hard-earned babysitting money. She instilled a warped sense of humour in all of us. There was no getting away with anything, and she had no qualms about dragging us home in full view of friends when caught skipping school (and the resulting punishment when we got home…we will never forget the special hairbrush with which she chased us around the house). We will not divulge the punishment for getting caught smoking.
An extraordinary cook and hostess of the chip-and-dip era, mom’s holiday feasts and Christmas goodies never failed to disappoint. She also had a special way of testing spaghetti to make sure the noodles were done: if they stuck to the wall after being thrown against it, dinner was served.
A lifelong animal lover, many pets were brought home over the years with each one becoming a treasured and much-loved member of our family.
Possessed of a deeply caring and sensitive nature, mom was a wellspring of love. Our hearts are broken with her passing, and we can’t help but feel so very grateful and blessed that we were chosen to be her children.
Mom was predeceased by her mother (Caroline), father (Ray), and brother (Joseph). She is survived by Ed, her loving husband of 60 years; sons Jay (Sahn) and Jeff (Jane); daughter Jill (Gerry); and grandchildren : Chelsea, Chynna, Kylie, Kandis, Kodie, Jordan, and Jared. She is also survived by her beloved sister Cathy Wheeler and many loved nieces and nephews.
At mom’s request, there will be no funeral. A scattering of ashes and a private family celebration will take place at a later date.
Fond memories I’ll keep of happy ways
That on earth we trod
And when I come, we will walk hand in hand
As one in Heaven in the family of God.
Oh, my darling, my darling
My heart breaks as you take
Your long journey.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de WATSON Fay —..
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique