Obituary of Josephine (Josy) Ida Mary Fagan

FAGAN, Josephine (Josy) Ida Mary (nee Kryminski)

June 14, 1935 – February 22, 2022

It is with deep sadness that the family of Josy Fagan announce her passing at the age of 86 years.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kelly Towle (Randy), Carrie Willemsen (Bill), Ken (aka Lockie) Fagan, Diana Kidd, and Darin Fagan along with the joys of her life ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, two nieces, Paulette Decka and Michelle Kupchak, sister-in-law Marg Kitzul (Ernie) and her best friend, daughter-in-law and caregiver, Mary Fagan.  Josy was predeceased by her parents, Ludwik (Louis) and Maria (Mary) Kryminski, her sister Lena LaPlume, her brother, Paul Kryminski, her husband Kenneth Raymond Fagan, her daughter Lisa Jo Fagan, her grandson Kristopher Kratchmer; and her in-laws, Raymond and Molly Fagan and brother-in-law Brian Fagan.    

Leaving her family behind, Josy moved from Manitoba to Alberta in 1954 after her marriage to husband Kenny and welcomed the birth of her first child within a year.  Nine years later, she had a large family of six children and raised them in Calgary.  Josy spent the majority of her working life at the Holy Cross Hospital and the City of Calgary until she retired in 1998.  As her family grew, she became Grandma Jo and a beloved devotee to each new precious grandchild as they arrived.  She was always a supportive, nurturing, loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to those she loved.  She enriched her family’s lives by generously extending non-judgmental love and kindness to all.  She had a wonderful, self-effacing sense of humour and could laugh at herself when life went awry.  Her wonderful sense of equanimity helped her deal calmly with many of life’s travails like raising six kids who didn’t always get along well together!  Josy cherished her large family and was consummately proud of each and every one of them for their individual achievements.

After retirement in 1998, Josy spent many happy hours puttering in her little house and flower garden but always welcomed anyone who stopped by for a visit or a coffee.   Her great joys in life were her family, her dogs, and her beautiful flower garden.  She was a deeply patriotic, proud Canadian and would tell anyone who would listen that as Canadians, we lived in God’s Country and she firmly espoused this belief, always deeply grateful for the freedom, bounty, security, and sanctuary of life in Canada.  When she traveled, she always pinned a tiny Canadian flag to her luggage to reflect her patriotism.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Age Care Midnapore Centre for the loving care Josy received during her residency there.  Profound thanks are also extended to Josy’s beloved caregiver, daughter-in-law and friend, Mary Fagan for the enduring love, compassion, and care that she so generously lavished upon Josy throughout the final years of her life as she succumbed to the effects of old age and declining health.

A life well-lived…a woman well loved!

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. In Josy’s honour memorial donations may be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary or to Al Azhar Shriners of Southern Alberta.

In living memory of Josephine Fagan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.