100 year old Fay Johnson, a Nelson resident for the past 81 years, died March 21, 2016. She is survived by her son, Raymond, his wife, Rose, and their three surviving children, Ken and his wife, St. Albert, AB; Kim Fuzzen, Thunder Bay, ON; and Kevin and fiancée, Lisa Knox, Nelson. Surviving also is her daughter, Shirley Roberts, Oliver, BC and her three sons, Guy, Surrey, BC, Lance, Lethbridge, AB; and Mark, Kanata, ON, and their wives. There are 19 great grandchildren and 2 great, great granddaughters. Fay is also survived by relatives in Saskatchewan and Finland.
Fay Impi Aira Niemi was born on the farm outside of Shaunavon, SK, 16 February 1916. Her siblings, sister, Irja Turunen, brothers, Edward and Arthur Niemi and Harvey Salo, predeceased her.
Predeceasing Fay was her husband of 65 years, George, in 1996, grandson-in-law, Edward Fuzzen, 2009, and granddaughter, Katharine Johnson, 2013.
The highlight of Fay’s life was the month long trip by horse-drawn “Bennett Buggy” covered wagon in 1934 from Saskatchewan to Retallack, BC. They soon moved to Cottonwood Flats now part of Nelson as Perrier Road. Fay and George loved to play whist and dance at the Eagles hall. There they helped teach teenagers to old time dance at Jr. Joymakers.
Fay worked for 20 years as an engine wiper with the CPR. She volunteered at the IODE Thrift Store Saturday afternoons for over 20 years. As a long time member of Nelson Senior Citizens, she helped with events and crafts. Fay enjoyed the activities at Jubilee Manor particularly the bingo. She also took in trips to a Blewett hobby farm, several “Fishing Forevers” at Cottonwood Lake and trips to the mall.
Fay’s ashes will be intered between her mother and father’s graves and beside her husband’s ashes in Hillcrest cemetery, Shaunavon, SK at a later date.
Thank you to the staff of Jubilee Manor for the loving care of Fay for the past eight years.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Megan Johnson of Thompson Funeral Service has been entrusted with the cremation arrangements.