In Memory Of

Fay Irene Pengelly

Mar 4, 1960 - Oct 7, 2025

Service

Thursday, October 16, 2025
2:00 pm
Caroline Hub
5103 48th Avenue
Caroline, Alberta

Notice

If you wish to make a memorial contribution, donations may be made to Caroline Meals on Wheels, or the Compassionate Care Hospice Society.

Obituary

Fay Pengelly passed away on October 7, 2025, at the age of 65. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2024, and in February of 2025 she learned that it had metastasized her brain. She fought hard to recover, wanting nothing more than to stick around for her family. She was not going to give up without a fight, quitting smoking as soon as she learned that she had cancer, and enduring chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Fay was born on March 4, 1960, to Edna and Clarence Pengelly. She was raised on their farm with her two brothers, Glen and Eddie. She loved the farm life. She was a real animal lover. She gave her parents more than one scare by taking off on a horse that wasn't fully broke, all by herself.
Fay was always pretty headstrong. She could be very opinionated, and she wasn't afraid to share her opinion. That wasn't always her family's favorite thing about her, but most people that liked her loved that about her. You just never knew what was going to come out of her mouth! Her friend Patty became her censor during work meetings with upper management at Canada Post. Everyone, including Fay, thought it was hilarious when Fay would start to give the bosses a piece of her mind and Patty would shush her, stopping her from getting herself into trouble! Fay was a tiny lady at only five feet tall. Even though she was small in stature, she was a force to be reckoned with. Most people would describe her as a spitfire. It's not that she was a mean or nasty person. It's just that she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. You always knew where you stood with her. That went both ways. Good or bad. She was very protective of her friends and family. If she liked or loved you, she liked or loved you a lot.
She loved her kids and their families. She had three kids. Linda (Kelly) Tubbs, Sam Samardzic, and Nicole (Branden) Fay. She was so proud of all her grandkids. Mark, Dylan, Casey, Bethany, and John were her pride and joy. She talked about them non-stop to anyone who would listen. She was happiest when her family was all together, especially for a cattle drive or branding. She was tickled pink when the grandkids became old enough to help.
Even though farming was her dream job, in the late eighties Fay got her license to sell insurance and worked for RMH Insurance. She did a short stint in Sundre before getting a job in Caroline. There she also started working in registries. She then started working for Sims and Associates. Fay made a lasting impression at each place and stayed friends with many of her former coworkers. She even continued to go to the Sims Christmas party for many years after she was finished working there with her good friend Marion.
Fay was a hard worker. She could be close to dying and still go in to work. Once, she was t-boned while she was delivering mail when someone didn't stop for a stop sign. She was very clearly hurt, but instead of worrying about herself, all she could worry about was securing the mail. She had to be forced to go to the hospital. At that time there was no one to fill in. Her daughter Linda had her security clearance for the post office because she was the cleaner for the Caroline Post Office, so Linda was thrown in to the job with Fay talking her through every step of the way, even though she was in an extreme amount of pain and most likely concussed. Thus, starting Linda's new career as a postal worker. Fay and Linda loved working together. Surprisingly, they never fought or argued at work. Often Fay would say things to embarrass or make Linda blush. She always acted like it was a big deal, but most of the time she really thought it was quite funny. It was very special to them both to have the common bond of the workplace. Aside from work, Linda and Fay didn't have a lot in common, so it was nice for them to be able to share the highs and lows of work.
Fay and her daughter Nicole were two peas in a pod. That was usually a good thing, but at times they were too much alike. They always got over it though, and enjoyed spending time with each other, especially riding horses. They had many special times together doing what they loved the most. Nicole always liked to tease her about how unsympathetic that she could be. Like the time that Nicole was kicked in the chest by a horse. She crawled to the house and banged on the window to get her mom's attention and was promptly yelled at for banging on the window. Once she realized that she was banging because she was hurt, she told Nicole that it was a long way from her heart. Finally in a few hours after a lot of complaining and convincing, she took Nicole to the hospital. Another time, Nicole smacked the post from the holiday trailer table into her mouth. It was gushing blood. Once it had been a couple of hours and it was still bleeding, Edna convinced Fay to take her to the hospital. She ended up getting 3 or 4 stitches. It just goes to show that Fay was tough as nails, and she expected everyone else to be too.
One of Fay's greatest sorrows was that her son Sam lived in Breton with his dad. The whole family was ecstatic when he decided to move to Caroline as an adult, but no one was happier than Fay. She loved getting to spend some time with him after so many years. She was devastated when he passed away just a month before her cancer diagnosis.
Fay and her mom Edna spent a lot of time together. They were each other's dates for all kinds of functions, whether it be a family get together, or out for a play or dinner theater. They were often mistaken for sisters, much to Fay's dismay.
Even though the past few months have been extremely sad and difficult, there has been plenty of funny and happy times. Fay won the hearts of many of the staff and residents at the Good Samaritan Center, and they won the hearts of Fay and her family. There aren't enough thank You's to properly thank them. A gigantic thank you also needs to go to the Compassionate Care Hospice Society staff and volunteers. They made the most trying time a lot easier to handle. Last, but not least, we need to acknowledge all the friends and family who have been there in so many ways. Your love and kindness will never be forgotten.
Fay is survived by her mom Edna, daughters Linda and Nicole and their families, her brother Glen (Jessie) and nieces, Ember and Callie. She was predeceased by her dad Clarence, brother Eddie, and son Sam.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Caroline Hub on Thursday, October 16, 2025
at 2 pm.
If you wish to make a memorial contribution, donations may be made to Caroline Meals on Wheels, or the Compassionate Care Hospice Society.
Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences

Noreen Motz :

My deepest sympathy to you Edna Glenn Linda and Nicole and to your families.Am so sorry big hugs to you all .

Donna Rudd:

My condolances to Fayes family. I was very thankful to have her work with us at RMH Insurance. She was a little shinning star always a smile and a very quick mind.

Cheryl Stevenson :

My condolences to Edna and Glenn and families. Fay was an amazing lady and I feel privileged to have known her for many many years. I know you will miss her deeply and may the memories of love and laughter shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.

Benita Pliska:

My Deepest Sympathy in the loss of Your Daughter, Mother, Sister, Grandmother. Caring thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the memories of your loved one provide you with comfort and ease your sorrow.

Patty Bunney:

My condolences to Linda, Nicole, Edna and their families. Fay was a wonderful lady. My life was truly enhanced having the privilege of knowing her ( I know how to cuss much more creatively for one thing) I'm going to miss my friend deeply! Love you Fay!❤️

Debbie Mckinlay :

My heart is heavy with your loss. I know the memories you have will carry you through these trying times. My deepest condolences.

Joyce Zirk:

My deepest condolences to Linda and all your families in the loss of your mother.

Post Your Condolence