Obituary of Fay Elizabeth Tate

March 23, 1946 - Hardisty, Alberta

June 25, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Fay Tate of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the age of 77 years after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Memories of Fay are cherished by her children Brad, Kim (Taylor), and Carrie; and, by grandson Khyle (Sheena), great-grandson Kaiden, and other family members and friends.

Fay was born in Hardisty, AB on March 23, 1946, to parents, Albert and Nora Sprecker. She spent the first couple years of her life growing up on the farm near Alliance, AB with her grandparents until her family eventually settled in Calgary, AB. Fay was joined by siblings, Gordon, Phyllis, Greg, and Darcy. She grew up and completed her elementary and high school education in Calgary.

In the early seventies, Fay moved to Camrose with Cliff and her children. She raised her family there and worked in banking, retail, and in accounting at Camrose Lutheran College. Fay eventually moved back to Calgary where she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary and worked in supportive counselling roles at the Salvation Army and L’Arche.

Fay was passionate about painting and was a lifelong learner and avid reader. She loved being physically active, and spent countless hours walking, hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the beauty of nature with family and friends. Fay was thrilled to explore the rugged beauty of the Rockies, the Pacific Coast, and the stunning beaches of Cuba with her partner and friend, Frank, who predeceased her in August 2022.

Fay’s faith in God remained steadfast. One of her most cherished bible verses is Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff comfort me

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB) on Friday, July 7, 2023, 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 living memory of Fay Tate, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.