Emily (Em) Blanche Farnham
April 14, 1937 to November 20, 2021
It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Emily Blanche Farnham at home on Saturday, November 20, 2021 with her wife by her side after a brief illness.
Em will be forever loved and missed by her wife of 33 years, Sandi Sheppard; her brother, Robert; nephews, Al (Chrissy) Crowe, Brian Farnham, Raymond (Sue) Farnham and Trevor Farnham; nieces, Jacqueline (Rod) Lawrence, and Sheila (Randy) Ritchie; great nieces, Chrystal (Ron) Farnham-Sullivan and Tayla Farnham; great nephews, Cody, Brody, Brenden and Josh Farnham; great great nieces, Riley, Janie and Cassie Sullivan; sister-in-law, Susan (Bill) Earle and brother-in-law, John (Wendy) Sheppard; dear friends and special longtime friends and former teammates, Linda Wagner Saunders (Iwan), Pat McBeath (Wayne) and Donna Collins (deceased).
Emily was predeceased by her father and mother, Raymond and Bessie Farnham; her sister, Lillian in infancy; her brother, Jack; her nephew, Robert “Robbie”; her great niece, Jacqueline Willier; and sister-in-law, Viny Farnham.
Emily grew up in Tisdale, Saskatchewan where she was introduced to curling by her dad. She moved to Prince Albert in 1946, to Saskatoon in 1962 and has resided in Airdrie, Alberta since 2007. The move to Airdrie gave Em an opportunity to be reunited with her brothers and their families which brought her much joy and many fun times.
Emily was an avid curler and a member of the Nutana Curling Club for over 35 years. She was the first woman president of her club and served on the Board of Directors for several years. In addition to her competitive curling Em was involved administratively at various levels – club, city, provincially and nationally. She served as a volunteer on many bonspiels and national competitions. In addition to competing at the city, northern and provincial play downs, she competed at the national level in one women’s and four senior women’s competitions. Her teams won the 1974 Macdonald Lassies Championship in Victoria, BC, and the 1989 Canadian Senior Women’s Championship in Kenora, ON, and runner-up at the 1992 Senior Women’s Championship in Victoria, BC. Emily was very proud of her teams’ accomplishments. She was inducted as a builder into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame. Em is also a member of the Saskatchewan Curling Association Legends of Curling Honour Roll. The 1974 and 1989 Championship teams were inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and the 1974 team was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. She was particularly proud of being voted by her peers for the all-star skip award at the national level on three occasions. Em loved her curling, as well as playing golf recreationally. Emily played at Greenbrye Golf Club in Saskatoon for many years and, more recently, at Woodside in Airdrie. Em was exceptionally pleased to finally master using her woods when she was in her 70s!
Emily was very grateful for the opportunity to work at the University of Saskatchewan for 35 years (Dean of Arts and Science Office, Office of the Registrar and the College of Dentistry). She loved the campus and interactions with students, staff, colleagues and the public. Prior to the University of Saskatchewan, Em worked for seven years with the Bank of Montreal in Prince Albert and Saskatoon. She felt very fortunate to have had careers she enjoyed so much. She officially retired in 1999.
Emily asked that appreciation be expressed to her many life-long friends for their support of her various endeavours throughout her life.
Thank you to Airdrie Palliative Care and nurses, Katrina and Virginia, and to Dr. Kyne for their wonderful care. Thank you, as well, to Dr. Tina Nicholson for her kind and gentle care over the past 14 years. And thank you to our friend Marilyn Schaay for her support and help these past months.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, 1011 University Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0K4 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 or a charity of your choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Emily Blanche Farnham November 20th 2021..
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Airdrie, Province: Alberta
My deepest sympathy Sandi and family on the loss of Emily. She was such a dear sole, and will be dearly missed. I so enjoyed the times we were able to golf together, and always enjoyed watching Em curl with Linda, Pat and Donna. Those were such special times for all of them, and I know will be cherished by Linda and Pat. Hugs to you! Brenda Collacott