Obituary of Faith Alexandria Jonathan

February 20, 1935 - July 25, 2023

Born on the family farm near Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan, Faye spent much of her childhood in Canyon, BC and graduated from Prince Charles High School in Creston, BC. She moved to Vancouver to attend Business College and after working for a time in banking there, she moved to Calgary along with a few friends. She stayed in Calgary for the rest of her life, marrying and raising three children. She fiercely advocated for her kids as they each faced the challenges of what were later found to be rare, hereditary diseases while ensuring that they still enjoyed childhood.

Her children grown and her marriage having ended, Faye returned to the workforce in the late 1970s and found considerable success in Property Management. Starting as a receptionist, she advanced to managing some of the largest rental complexes in the city, receiving accolades for her engaging personality and firm but fair treatment of staff and residents. Retiring early, she occasionally took part-time positions where she thought she might find interesting work and people, including in a florist’s shop and at the Calgary Zoo, eventually focusing her time on herself and her children.

Faye’s memory began to fail in her late 60s at a time when her children’s health also began to decline rapidly. Her son Miles died in 2008 and her daughter Kelly died in 2009; these losses seemed to accelerate her cognitive decline and she entered long-term care in 2011. Her initial experiences in care were mixed and became more challenging after her first care home, Carewest Rouleau Manor, had to be evacuated during the 2013 flood. Rouleau Manor was damaged extensively by the flood, and she was moved between a few different care homes until arriving at Carewest Sarcee.

Faye settled in at Sarcee and while her cognitive decline continued, her physical health improved markedly. With her energy renewed, she quickly developed a rapport with the staff and residents in the tranquillity of this small facility and its parklike setting. She also benefitted greatly from outings with her nephew Barry, his wife Laverne, and their family as well as visits with nieces Debbie and Christy and their families while she was a resident there for 5 years.

Changes in her care needs led her to the East Village of the Father Lacombe Care Centre in 2019. Thankfully, she was able to find comfort and community there as her relationships with friends and family had by then been lost to her dementia. Sincerest thanks to all those who cared for her there.

Faye was predeceased by her siblings including most recently her sister Louise Henderson of Kimberley, BC, her children, Miles and Kelly; and her nephews, Barry and Murray. She is remembered with both laughter and tears by her son Mark and several nieces and nephews and their extended families in Alberta, BC, and Kansas.

There is no service planned per Faye’s wishes. Please consider supporting the research of the Alzheimer Society of Canada www.alzheimer.ca. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Faye Alexandria Jonathan, 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.