It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our last beloved parent, Fay Rosella Johnstone, at Extendicare Michener Hill, with family by her side on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 91 years of age. Fay was born on April 2, 1928 to proud parents, Alma Mathilda (Klein) and William “Bill” Wellington West. She had two siblings, a brother, William “Dorn” and a sister, Alaire May "Lee". She was raised in the Catholic Faith. Her parents rented part of a home in Heisler, before moving to the country where her mom could have her horses - her passion and mom's. Fay grew up in the rural area around Heisler; as her family moved from farm to farm. Her father was a Steam Engineer and he helped neighbours do their thrashing, with his thrashing machine and steam engine, and did mechanic work, as well as sharpening blades and saws. It is not hard to see where mom's lifelong love of the country and all animals came from. Mom spoke of attending a three room School at Hastings Coulee; and of going to the neighbours to borrow their horse, Arthur, to go to town; as it was faster than theirs. And how she loved to dance, often going to the area Country Dances. At the July 1st Dance at Forestburg, she met the love of her life, Frederick "Gerald" Johnstone. She said she went to the dance with one fella and left with another, and they never looked back. They were married on Dec. 4th of that same year, 1947, at the Johnstone family farm near Stettler, in the Liberal District. Mom never actively practised her Catholic Faith after marriage but lived her life by her teachings. After marrying, they moved to Hay Lakes; where dad opened a business with Jim Culbertson, to fix and sell cars and Farm Implements. When the business failed, they decided to move to Red Deer. They found a home in Sylvan Lake to rent, before they were able to move into Red Deer in 1955; where dad worked as a mechanic at Red Deer Motors. They rented before finally purchasing a home. It was a finished basement, where the family lived while dad finished the upper level. A house became a family home that she lived in for next forty-five years. They faced many challenges raising their eight children. They supported their children in anything they did. Mom was a stay at home mother, a hard job in itself made exciting, as all our mishaps seemed to happen when dad was at work. Through their love and guidance, we learned our real life 3r’s: respect, responsibility and resiliency, and sharing and compromise. Mom spoke fondly of how the Johnstone family were always there to help with the kids. I just remember how huge the potato patch was that we had at my aunt's farm, and cleaning the many chickens at our cousins - all valued and fun because it was with family. Our education was important to our parents and mom made sure we could all swim; as she could “not” and keeping an eye on eight children at the beach, she knew her limitations. In her spare time, she enjoyed embroidery, she crocheted beautiful doilies and was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed a Mystery Series written around the Iditarod race in Alaska; as she had family in Alaska and she had travelled up there. And she liked to read books other family shared with her, but Stephen King, really? She always had a large garden and flower beds by the house. Her flower bed also contained many special rocks, she insisted on collecting on her many camping trips. Some were pretty big; as dad would tell of the trials of getting them home - true love. A long row of sweet peas was always in the back yard and a bouquet often graced our table. When her youngest child, Carol, was in school, mom took a part time job, working as a housekeeper; always careful to be home when we were. It is through this lady, she developed a love for cooking different dishes and her large collection of cooking books started. Only when her children were older did she go out and get herself a full time job, working at Michener Centre in the laundry, in 1968; where she worked for nineteen years, retiring in 1987. She enjoyed her work and the many people she worked with. She and dad shared a love of dancing, even taking a few lessons. A Saturday Night Dance at the Legion became a regular fun family get together. Her real joy though was family gatherings at her home; especially Christmas, which was always amazing, and family outdoor activities: camping, fishing, hiking and cross country skiing on the mountain, at her late son's Resort. It was much later in life when she learned to ski. She was always game to try something new. She and dad even took golf lessons but that was not to be. These outings were even more special if her children, or even better her grandchildren, were involved. Like our yearly family fishing trip every May long weekend and regular trips to hike and golf in the Kananaskis Area. Her family was her life. She and dad took several trips in their different R.V.'s through the years; to Alaska, to the east coast, to the Yukon and down the Oregon coastline, and numerous camping trips to West Country. After retirement, she and dad also went to their son's Resort in B.C.; months at a time, usually in the late winter into early spring, helping out in any way they could. They loved staying in their little cabin No. 5. When dad had a stroke, and then had to give up driving for health reasons, mom lost a very important part of her life - camping with dad. That was their retirement plan. She was determined and tried so hard to drive the R.V. herself but... Their third R.V. was a 5th Wheel Holiday Trailer; which she loved and spent her later summers camping at Sylvan Lake, with her beloved dog Dakota, until her health became an issue. After dad died in 2001, Mom lived in her home for about three years, then moved in with her daughter, until stairs became an issue so she moved to a Senior's Living Condo; which she never really settled into; so she again moved, this time into a duplex especially suited to her and her dog, Dakota. She always liked her own space and a place where lots of family could visit her. Loved large family gatherings around her, and birthday celebrations in her duplex, were a pure joy for her; especially her 86th, when she woke up to several dinosaur ornaments on her lawn! And she always enjoyed her wine at social gatherings! Only in 2017, when she went on oxygen therapy and mobility became an issue, did she move into Extendicare Michener Hill. She was 89 and her memory was still better than mine!! Her quiet nature, humor and soft smile were a reflection of her mom but she could be feisty, speaking her mind; and if she set her mind, it was set, and if a question needed asking, she would ask it,. She showed a lot of grace and beauty through her life. She was an amazing lady and will be dearly missed. She was predeceased by her father, William (1889 - 1978), her mother, Alma (1904 - 1991), her husband, Gerald ( 1920 - Sept.15, 2001), after 53 years of marriage, her son, Wilfred (1949 - May 23,2010), her brother, Dorn ( 1932- 2014) and sister-in-law, Jessie (Buckle 1942 - 2012), her sister, Alaire "Lee" (1938 - 2000) and brother-in-law, Lawrence Kennedy (1931 - 2002) and her nephew, Kevin L. Kennedy.( 1959 - 1962 ) She leaves to cherish her memory sons: Bruce (Rhonda), Ken (Sherryl) and daughters: Isabel (Cheryl), Sylvia (Hank) Kozak , Doreen (Don) Zaborsky, Pearl (Bill) Brady and Carol (Murray) Peterson, and daughter-in-law, Pat Johnstone; fifteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews. Respecting Fay's wishes, no funeral will be held. If desired Memorial Donations in Fay's Memory may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S.