CALVERLEY, Faye Noreen

With great sadness, the family of Faye Calverley announces her death at the age of 91. Daughter of William and Ina Insley of Bracebridge. Wife of Howard Calverley (deceased). Mother of Debbie (Victor), Michael (Kathy), David (Mindi), and Jennifer (Gilles). Granny to Evan, Ben, Quinn, Abby, Ellie, Nan and Gab. Sister of Jill (Keith, deceased), and John (Judy).

     Mom grew up in Bracebridge and then Toronto, but lived most of her adult life in North Bay. When we were younger, Mom was heavily involved with Tweedsmuir School, helping with school trips and events. She was involved in Brownies and Scouts and worked as a Scout leader for disabled children. Mom volunteered in Tweedsmuir’s library, which led to her working with the adult ESL program at the school. She eventually became one of the first teachers for the ESL program in North Bay in the 1970s and 1980s, assisting refugees from around the world. Her classroom moved from portables behind Tweedsmuir to city hall and finally to the Masonic Lodge on First Avenue. When she realized how sorely some services were missing for her students, Mom co-founded the North Bay Immigrant Support Service. Once she retired, Mom resumed volunteering at Tweedsmuir School, working in primary grade classrooms for over twenty years.

     Mom was a great mom, simple as that. She was always happy to have a pile of shoes at the front door because of friends coming over or to set an extra place at dinner; she firmly instituted an open-door policy in her home. She was well known for being the world’s best hugger, with us or our friends. In her retirement you could find her working on her next sewing project, embroidery, making clothes. or dolls. She loved her flower gardens, her fur children and fur grandchildren. And she adored her human grandchildren; they could literally do no wrong in her eyes, and she could not stand to see them get in trouble for anything. What happened at Granny’s house, stayed at Granny’s house.

     Thank you to the staff at Water’s Edge for their compassionate care; we could not have asked for anything better. Thank you to Dr. Mah and ‘the girls’ (as she called them) for their endless patience and assistance; not everyone is lucky enough to have a doctor’s office as supportive as yours. Thank you to the Cecelia Court family for being such wonderful neighbours, for being an important part of Mom’s life and for your assistance as the years passed.

     We were incredibly lucky to have her, and she will be missed. As per mom’s wishes there will be no service. At a later date in the summer, there will be a graveside service in Bracebridge. Mom requested donations be made to All Heart Pet Rescue.

Debbie, Mike, David and Jennifer

Arrangements entrusted to the Martyn Funeral Home, and online condolences may be offered at www.martynfh.com