Obituary of Josephine Fairbairn

BIOGRAPHY FAIRBAIRN ~ Josephine Marie Fairbairn passed away peacefully in the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the age of 91 years. Josephine will be sadly missed by her three children: Marion Raichel of Edmonton, Skip (Mona) Fairbairn of Kitscoty, Bonnie Barry) Carlton of Grande Prairie; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters: Helen Lee and Bernadette Box as well as numerous other relatives. Josephine was predeceased by six siblings. The funeral service was conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. The eulogy was read by Arlee Dommett. The soloist was Yvette Barnett singing "The Old Rugged Cross". The hymns sung were "Amazing Grace" and "In The Garden" accompanied on the organ by Irene Knowlson. The active pallbearers were Lyle Dommett, Carter Whitfield, Dennis Whitfield, Jeremie Legere, Barry Carlton and Derrick Belsheim. The interment was held in the Marwayne Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY We are here to celebrate and remember the life of Josephine Marie Annette Fairbairn, my Grandma. Grandma was born to Leonie and Joseph Nolin on December 5, 1919. She was one of nine children. Her brothers and sisters are: Theresa, Emma, Antoinette, Emile, Bernadette, Damase, Helen and Raymond. They lived on a farm outside of St. Walburg moving to Tulliby Lake where they kept cows as well as making lumber at the sawmill. School for the children was located four miles away in the GreenVale district and they travelled by a team of horses. After completing eight years of school, Grandma worked as a cook and a housekeeper in the Marwayne area. Grandma married Walter Fairbairn on December 24, 1943. Together they raised cattle and farmed in the Marwayne area. They had four children: Marion, Skip, Carole and Bonnie. Auntie Bonnie was remembering the story of how Grandma met Grandpa. She was out riding and along came Grandpa in his car, which was a really big deal back then. At the time Grandma already had a beau but after meeting Grandpa, the other man didn't seem as important anymore. We all have fond memories of the farm as kids. My sister Kerri remembers Grandma's large garden and helping dig potatoes. Or going to town for a pop at the café or having chip, to us fries. Grandma loved to shop for us and Kerri remembers her finding purple rubber boots one spring. Derrick was a little mischievous liked to tease Grandma with the water hose. Vicki and I share memories of the fantastic food waiting for us on every visit. I remember punching down dough with Grandma and Kerri and I remember the pineapple delight and crumb cake. David, Derrick, Vicki and I used to investigate around the farm yard and Grandma used to warn us to stay away from the dugout and to keep a lookout for badgers, when really all we wanted was raspberries straight from the bushes. We used to get together for the holidays and us kids would sneak downstairs to shake the packages to see if we could figure out what was in store the next morning. In 1993, Grandma and Grandpa sold the farm and moved to Lloydminster. After 58 years of marriage, Grandpa passed away in 2001. After that, Grandma moved to the Pioneer Lodge and then to Jubilee, her final home. Grandma was predeceased by her husband, Walter, her daughter Carole, and her grandson, David. She will lovingly be remembered by daughter Marion, son Skip and daughter-in-law, Mona, daughter Bonnie and son-in-law Barry, her grandchildren: Kerri, Arlee, Derrick and Vicki and her great grandchildren: Carter, Haylie, Jolie, William, Lainie, Owen and Rylan. Poem Of Life ~ Author Unknown Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what's to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay... Our destination is a place, Far greater than we know. For some the journey's quicker, For some the journey's slow. And when the journey finally ends, We'll claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord. CARD OF THANKS The family of Josephine would like to thank the staff at the Jubilee Home for their loving care of mom. Thank you to Reverend Bob Aldrich for ministering a beautiful service, to Yvette Barnett for her wonderful gift of music and Irene Knowlson for playing the organ so beautifully. A special thank you to the pallbearers for being part of the service. Thank you to Colleen Hozack for making and serving a delicious lunch. We are so grateful for all the cards, donations, phone calls, flowers and visits. Thank you! The Fairbairn Family Donations in memory of Josephine may be made to the charity of the donors choice.