February 18, 1943 - October 20, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
Alice Faye Boggs (Faye), beloved wife, mom, grandmother, sister and friend to many, passed away peacefully at Dufferin Place Care Home in Nanaimo on the first hours of October 20, 2022. Her husband Jim, and son Tim, often with his partner Sheri, were with her throughout her final hours. She is survived also by daughter Tara (Chris), by grandchildren Emilly, Callum, Nolan, Gavin, and Lauren, by siblings Donna (Bob), Larry (Sandra), Stan (Eleanor), Peggy (Neil), Michelle (Tony) as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.We are immensely sad to report her passing.
Faye was born in Regina, SK, on Feb. 18, 1943, the first of six children of Fred and Winnifred (Winnie) Hilderman. She grew up on her parents' farm, north of Semans, SK., and attended school in Semans until her family moved to Winnipeg, MB, where she completed high school at Sisler High. She then entered and graduated from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing with her RN. She nursed for several years before she and her first husband, Ernie Schwab, became parents to Tim and Tara, their chosen children.
Faye & Ernie moved to Banff, Alberta and then Victoria B.C. Faye loved learning, and after Tim & Tara were adults, Faye enrolled in Camosun College where she pursued her life-long interest in math in the business and accounting program. After graduating she worked as an accountant for some years in Victoria and Calgary. In a final career shift, Faye enrolled in St. Stephen's College in Edmonton in July 2001, and graduated in October 2003 with a Masters of Arts in Pastoral/Psychology Counselling (MAPPC). In Edmonton she became friends with Jim's sister, Meredith Oenning, a Jungian analyst, and met Jim when he visited Meredith.
Jim and Faye married on December 12, 2008, and moved together to BC where Faye had a successful counselling practice until she retired, in which, with characteristic kindness and sensitivity, she helped many people and became an active member and leader in the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Faye and Jim enjoyed 14 wonderful years together until her passing.
Faye's adventurous spirit led her not only to different professions but also different places: She loved to travel, and went alone or in groups to England, Europe, Mexico, and with her husband Jim to Mexico, Alaska, across Canada, and through much of the western and southern U.S.
Music was always a big part of Faye's life, and part of her family's tradition. She was a vocalist with a truly beautiful trained voice, and sang (often with her sister, Donna), played the piano or organ, and assisted with church choirs as member or choir director her whole life. Faye was always the best at baking, entertaining, preparing meals or whatever was needed to host a group of friends. She loved to have people around her and could always be found on any available piano bench.
Faye had a wonderful smile that was both bright and gentle. She made friends easily, kept them close, and had life-long friends from every phase of her adult life. She will be missed.
We are grateful for the extraordinarily attentive and compassionate care Faye received at Dufferin Place during her time there. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Please forward condolences to Jim Boggs.