FAYE BOYCHUK

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FAYE BOYCHUK

1942 - 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Faye Boychuk on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Virden Health Centre at the age of 82 years.

Faye was born May 28, 1942, in Hartney, MB, being the third daughter of Omer and Nan (Remnant) Gastonguay. When Faye was two years old, the family moved to Elgin, MB. Family and friends were Faye’s focus from a very early age, as her family home was a gathering place for many in town. She received her schooling in Elgin, and after completing high school, she worked for MTS in Boissevain, MB as a switchboard operator. In March 1962, she transferred to work in Flin Flon, MB. A couple of girls from Elgin were already there working for MTS so she was excited about this new adventure to see the North. At Flin Flon, it was arranged that she would have room and board.

Her kind landlady invited Faye to accompany her to a meeting of the Memorial of Christ’s death at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Faye found that experience deeply faith strengthening. She continued attending faithfully and was baptized in October 1962 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was here that she met Nester Boychuk. They married on April 20, 1963, in Brandon at the Kingdom Hall.

Their daughter Lorine was born in December 1964 and son Lance in August, 1966. When Lance was six months old, Faye and Nester opened their homes to care for foster children. Son Lyndon was born in April, 1972 (their 9th anniversary present).

The family moved to Brandon in 1974 to be closer to Faye’s family. Faye had a big heart, and they continued taking in foster children. Faye didn’t want to see families separated so would often take 2 or more children at a time. A total of 26 children were given care over 11 years and Faye found it hard to see every one of them leave.

After moving to Brandon, Faye attended ACC in 1975. After graduating from a course in stenography, she began working at MacArther & Sons, which she left to work at MB Housing Authority. Later, she quit MB Housing to work for Dr. Tangwai (neurologist) as his personal secretary. After 8years, she left Dr Tangwai to begin work at Fairview Nursing Home as a unit clerk and then staffing clerk until she retired in July 2003.

During those years of working full time, Faye had her home licensed to care for clients dealing with mental health…usually 3 gentlemen at a time, for almost 20 years until 2000. Faye always tried to make them feel at home, going the extra mile to make them feel included in the family.

When Faye wasn’t playing cards or games with friends, she enjoyed crafts, especially crocheting blankets and scarves which she enjoyed gifting. Faye’s passion aside from her grandchildren, family and friends was traveling. In her lifetime she visited much of Canada, coast to coast, many places and sites in the states, over to England and Scotland and an Alaskan cruise. Faye had great travel companions with her friends Ethel and Fran and had the greatest of stories to share.

Faye was predeceased by her mother in 1976, her father in 1997, sister Jeannine Keown in 2000, brother Fred Gastonguay in 2001 and his daughter Chantelle in 2023, her husband Nester in 2002, sister Louise Vandorne in 2010 and nephew Keith Keown in 2019.

Left to mourn her death are her sons Lance and Lyndon, daughter Lorine Nicholls (Brent), grandchildren Kali and Brayden, sister-in-law Debbie Gastonguay as well as her dear nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Faye went to sleep in death, confident that she will share in the resurrection hope of John 5:28 “all those in the memorial tombs will hear Jesus’ voice and come out”.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 3434 Park Ave, Brandon MB with refreshments to follow.

For those unable to attend the service in person, a zoom link is available. Please email PEECHJS@GMAIL.COM for connection information.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the support shown by your many acts of kindness evident in thought, word and deed.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 01, 2025