Obituary of Tracy Aileen Fewster

March 1, 1954 – Picton, Ontario

August 25, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Tracy Fewster, beloved wife of John Frederick Fewster, and mother of Shannon Eleanor Aileen Fewster, and Sarah Ann Fewster, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the age of 70 years.

Tracy was a passionate artist in many disciplines. Beginning as a poet and cellist, she embraced writing, photography, painting, composing music, and learning many musical instruments. She never stopped learning and always let her creativity run freely. Most recently she was becoming an accomplished harpist and fiber artist.

Tracy was born in Picton, ON, on March 1, 1954. As the child of an artillery officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, Tracy lived in many Canadian cities and abroad in Germany and the United States.

Her parents encouraged her love of music by playing records for her and starting her on the best instrument of all the cello. As they moved from place to place, poetry, reading, and music were her constants. In El Paso, Texas, Tracy played her cello in the high school marching band while being pulled on a wagon. She was cast as the lead in the high school musical because she “Could sing louder than the band could play.” Her former students may remember her surprising them on occasion with unexpected operatic phrases. In Ottawa, ON, Tracy was voted “Miss Optimism” in her high school yearbook and played in the Ottawa Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Tracy graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours English and made the Dean's list. While in Hamilton, ON, she clicked with her future husband, John, whom she met in Film Studies class where she admired his broad shoulders. They bonded over their love of movies, records, and coffee. Tracy married John, in 1984 and later gave birth to their two beloved daughters. In 1989 they put down roots in Kitchener/Waterloo, ON, where they lived happily for many years.

Tracy was no stranger to hard work, discipline, and perseverance. After raising her daughters to school-age, Tracy decided to return to school to become a teacher. Encouraged by teachers from King Edward Public School where she was a vibrant part of the parent-teacher association, Tracy worked incredibly hard to continue supporting her family life while commuting back and forth to Toronto for her degree.

She graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Education (summa cum laude) and later Western University where she earned a Masters in Education.

Tracy taught at Courtland and St. Andrews Senior public schools where she delighted in inspiring her many students to make music a part of their lives. As conductor of the band, she led many exciting performances and field trips to competitions. Using her passion for the music of The Beatles, she gained her students’ enthusiasm for modern music before leading them to its foundation: classical music.

After retiring from teaching, she maintained a membership in the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild and a membership in the Chinook Guild of Fiber Artists. She was proud to be the fourth generation of fiber artist in the family. She was creating an ambitious piece celebrating each of the 92 years of her grandmother’s life before her passing. In 2020, she and John moved to Calgary, AB to look after Dixie in her final years.

Tracy never stopped being a teacher. She delighted in demonstrating how to play the harp to her one-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Celeste, and gave her an appreciation for music and books.

Tracy’s most cherished life experiences were time spent with her family, friends and colleagues, celebrating holidays and life milestones, putting on shows and collaborating with other artists. She often said, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.”

Tracy is survived by her husband John Fewster, daughters, Shannon and Sarah Fewster; sons-in-law, Andrew Hunter and Jeff Jacklin; and granddaughter, Celeste Hunter of Ontario.

Tracy was predeceased by her parents, Fred McCall Major (Retired) O.M.M. C.D.  and Dixie McCall (nee Neff).

If you were a student, friend, or colleague of Mrs. Fewster and music is still a part of your life, we invite you to share a recording or video with us of you playing or singing. Any songs on any instruments are welcome.

Bonus Quest: send in a version of you singing/playing “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles on your chosen instrument. Shannon will edit together “Mrs. Fewster’s Opus” of us all playing together. Please share your performance here: Mrs. Fewster’s Opus.

A Celebration of Tracy’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Fewster's service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Kidney Cancer Canada, 3 – 251 Queen Street South, Suite 561, Mississauga, ON, L5M 1L7, Telephone: 1-866-598-7166, www.kidneycancercanada.ca.  

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Tracy’s family here.

In living memory of Tracy Fewster, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click Here to Sign the Digital Guest Book and Watch Tracy's Celebration of Life