Vera Fawkes

Vera Dawn Fawkes (nee McKay), beloved wife of Jack Fawkes passed away at the Canmore Hospital on Saturday April 6, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Vera was born an only child in Vernon, BC to Donald Charles McKay and Mabel Vera McKay (nee Hall). Shortly after her birth the family moved to Vancouver, BC. Her father died of Tuberculosis when she was twelve years old and she eventually became an insurance underwriter for Wawanesa. In 1951 she moved with her mother and stepdad to Fresno, California and continued her career with Industrial Indemnity Insurance.

In 1957 she married Jack and they moved to Namaka, AB where she took on a new role as a famer's wife and mother of Jack's two children, Brenda and Spencer. Vera was a devoted daughter to her mother living in San Diego, and made numerous trips with her husband and two children, Debra and Murray until 1975 when her mother passed away.

In 1973, Jack and Vera retired from farming and moved to Canmore with their two children. Vera led an active life. In her younger years she enjoyed skiing, water skiing, swimming and tennis. In her later years, she was involved with the Alberta Senior's Games as a volunteer and participant. She competed in bocce ball, carpet bowling and badminton. She was a volunteer in the Canmore community including the 1988 Olympics and Nordic center ski races. Vera was also a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion, Canmore.

Vera was an avid traveler with her loving husband of 55 years. One of her favorite trips was to Portugal and she even considered learning Portuguese, and even though she loved to travel, she always returned to her beloved Canmore and the majesty of the mountains. She was a woman of integrity, courage and perseverance. Her warm and welcoming personality allowed her to make friends easily.

Mom will be greatly missed by her husband, Jack; her son Murray; her daughter Debra (Colin) Tyndeal and her four grandchildren, Andrea, Evan, Jeremy and Elisa. She is also survived by two stepchildren; Brenda (Bill) Becker and family and Spencer (Sue) Fawkes and family including four great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 in the Creekside Hall, Canmore Senior's Centre.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to remember Vera may make a donation, in her memory to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation, for use in the Canmore Hospital, 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore, AB T1W 1N2.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. C. Hinds and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Canmore Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Vera.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.