PATRICIA MARIA FAY

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PATRICIA MARIA FAY

(LYONS)

April 12, 1949 - May 19, 2025

It is with deep and incredible sadness that I announce the loss of my “Pixie”, my “Peppermint Pattie”, the love of my life, at Grace Hospital on Monday, May 19, 2025. She embarked on her final journey while being caressed by her family, and knowing that so many family and friends were with her in love and spirit.

Left to try to overcome the huge hole created in our lives are her husband of almost 53 years, Stewart, son Samuel (Sam) Fay, his wife Lindsay Sawyer Fay and their daughter Carrie-James Mollie Sawyer Fay, daughter Amelia (Amy) Fay, her husband John McGrath and their daughter Madelaine Lilly McGrath, special friend since childhood, Pat Walmsley, and many other family and friends too numerous to mention individually. She was predeceased by her parents, Philip Myles Lyons in 2011 and Veda Mae (Bishop) in 2015, and two unnamed, still-born sisters in 1953 and 1955.

Pat was a west-end girl, born and raised in a loving and supporting household on Ingersoll Street that her parents built after the Second World War. As an only child, she grew up learning the values of making friends, keeping them and treating them as you would like to be treated…an ethos that she practiced all her life. She attended Principal Sparling School, Sargent Park School and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. She was involved in Brownies and the Catholic Youth Organization, and sang in the famous Daniel Mac choirs under the direction of the legendary Glen Pierce.

What grabbed Pat the most, from an early age, were stories, books and the whole concept of reading and learning. Thanks to a home environment where stories were told to her, books were read to her and then, thanks to a school librarian who got her hooked on reading by giving her a copy of Helen Keller's biography, Pat firmly resolved to become a teacher. She fulfilled that goal by receiving her Bachelor of Education and later her Pre-Masters in Education specializing in School Libraries, both degrees from the University of Manitoba. As a result, she spent her working career as a classroom teacher and substitute teacher in Ottawa and Winnipeg, and ultimately retired as a Teacher-Librarian in Pembina Trails School Division in 2009.

Pat captured Stew with her amazing blue eyes in the summer of 1968 when he came into the Safeway Store on Ellice Avenue and Wall Street looking for a buddy who worked there as well. That fall, his “besties” arranged to have Stew come out to the U of M Freshie Dance, without telling him Pat would be there. As it happened, Pat was waiting on a girlfriend of hers to show up (who never did), and Stew, noticing the amazingly beautiful girl he'd seen at the Safeway Store, asked her to dance. They danced, talked and laughed the whole night away. Stew drove her home, kissed her goodnight and the rest is history. A first official date at a Gordon Lightfoot concert at the old Winnipeg Auditorium on October 12, 1968, sealed the deal...almost 57 years of romance!

Pat and Stew were married in Winnipeg on July 8, 1972, moved to Ottawa where Stew had a job with the federal government, and then returned to Winnipeg in the fall of 1973 when Stew changed jobs to return to Manitoba. They purchased their brand new “forever home” in Charleswood in 1975 and resided there ever since. Stew promised his Pixie that he will continue to maintain their house and yard just like they did as a team for 50 years!

Pat's complete joy was her family, and when Sam arrived in 1979, then Amy in 1981, her life was filled with happiness and the busy times of raising two very active toddlers. She became a stay-at-home mom during these formative years, but did not give up her abiding interest in education and literacy. Pat made sure that children's books were readily available and read nightly to Sam and Amy, and that school activities and extracurricular activities were encouraged and attended. She was very active as a volunteer in Band Parent Associations and served in board and executive roles in the Manitoba School Library Association.

Pat's joy was supercharged as she saw both Sam and Amy married to incredible and supporting partners, and was over-the-moon completed when granddaughters, Carrie-James and Madelaine arrived. She was so happy to be involved in their lives as she and Stew attended as many of the girls' activities as they could. As a proud grandma, she loved to play whatever games they liked and she delighted in their school accomplishments. Naturally, she loved to read to them and along with them, pointing out new words and helping them sound them out.

Pat kept her reading list well-filled every year, averaging some 35 - 40 titles each year. She also shared wonderful times with her book club, The “Spine Benders”, exploring new genres of literature and challenging herself to read stuff “outside the box”.

Pat loved music, especially Elvis and Lightfoot songs. She also loved to dance with Stew in the kitchen to a special Stevie Wonder song, “I Just Called To Say I Love You”. She loved travelling with Stew and had memorable trips to Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and all the Provinces in Canada. Her special place in Canada was Newfoundland, and she and Stew made several trips to “The Rock” when Amy did post-graduate work at Memorial University. Her most special memories, however, came in 2023 when she and Stew fulfilled a lifetime dream and spent two weeks touring the Ireland of their ancestors. It was a place they planned to return to, but sadly that did not happen.

Pat was a breast cancer survivor from 2011/2012, but the cancer that ended her life was different: signet ring carcinoma that appeared elsewhere. The medical team assured her there was nothing she could have done to detect this menace as it only produces noticeable symptoms when it is too late. A chemotherapy regime was designed to provide some quality of life in the time remaining, but alas, she became quite ill from the therapy and decided not to proceed further. We are indebted to the incredible team of oncologists, nurses and technicians at CancerCare Manitoba who struggled mightily to give us quality time together in Pat's journey, and to the caring professionals at Grace Hospital who provided comfort care to her at the end.

Cremation has taken place, and in keeping with Pat's wishes, no formal ceremony will be held. A private family inurnment will take place later. Thanks also to the staff at Voyage Funeral Homes for their care of Pat and compassion shown to our family.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, July 18 in the ballroom at The Gates on Roblin, 6945 Roblin Boulevard from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. where memories, fancy sandwiches (Pat's favourite...that she insisted on) and beverages can be shared in toasting her final journey! The “formal” portion of the celebration will be live streamed for those who cannot attend...Stew will provide details prior to the event.

In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations to the Patricia Fay Literacy Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (https://www.jewishfoundation.org/patriciafay), the Winnipeg Public Library, or to any local children's literacy program.

Until I see you again, my Pixie...save that kitchen dance for me!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2025