(Ethel) Fay Butterfield passed away peacefully on April 9th, 2024, in the presence of loving family. She is predeceased by the love of her life, (Charles Edward) Ted. They were married in Calgary in January 1964 and moved to Vancouver in 1973. We feel sure he was waiting for her with a big smile and a hug.
In late November 2022, she was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. In early 2023, a matching treatment provided her and her family and friends with a ‘bonus’ year. In April 2023, she cruised to Alaska in style with her three children. And true to her personality and love of family, she was determined to be well enough to go to Maui with her children, grandchildren and extended family. As a result, she enjoyed a 10-day Christmas vacation filled with love and laughter. There was much appreciation and gratitude for her presence.
Fay worked at BC Trade for over 10 years, helping to promote all that BC had to offer to the Pacific Rim. When elections came around, whether Federal, Provincial or Civil, she was dedicated to the electoral process, recruiting strong teams and working long hours. She ran her own home-based business as a bookkeeper for small businesses and worked closely with a good friend in endless contract negotiations.
Fay was also a very talented seamstress. She not only sewed most of her clothes, her kids’ clothes and many outfits for the grandkids, but also taught sewing classes at the local night school. She was always seen with knitting needles in hand, or in quilting shops buying the next project. Her beautiful quilts have been admired by many, including last year when they were on display at Mt Seymour United Church.
When she wasn’t at her sewing machine, she was sharing her angelic voice with the Parkgate singers, supporting Dad in his charitable endeavors, or following the lives of her grandchildren with all the love that she had.
Her loss is felt by her many friends in Mt. Seymour United Church, in Rotary, and by her Calgary and Vancouver Island family’s. She is survived by her children Leigh (Paul), Cheryl (Richard) and David, as well as the grandchildren she adored, Max, Alex, Ashley and Ryan. She is also survived by her siblings, Joy (Bob), Eileen (Bill), and Ron (Pat), along with many nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate her life and love of family, will be held at Mt. Seymour United Church on Friday, May 17th, 2024 at 2:30pm. 1200 Parkgate Ave, North Vancouver. Note that parking will be affected by the church’s open Thrift Shop, so street parking and Safeway parking is recommended.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Mt Seymour United Church would be greatly appreciated.
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