Amber Lynn McKay

Amber was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She started her life on the farm with her family. Growing up just outside Foxford, for the first decade of her life she got to use the space of the farm to let her curiosity and mischief grow and flourish. Dodging chickens to collect eggs or chasing down rabbits to get them back into the coop, she was able to build a resilience and determination to never let life get the better of her, which was an essential skill as they moved into the town of Meath Park, where her mother opened a restaurant.

This new chapter of her life locked in the value of hard work and doing something 100%. It also brought her closer to her mother and enabled them to develop a bond that would help carry both of them through the hardest times at the end of her life.

The next big chapter was a leap from small-town Saskatchewan to Red Deer, Alberta, to attend college. She studied Kinesiology with a special focus on Coaching. This was an extension of Amber's love for sports that she had developed as a child. Basketball took the primary role in her love of sport. The dream of one day opening and running her own basketball academy and helping young people play and love sports as she did began to grow during this time.

After college, she moved into an even bigger city and another new chapter by going to Edmonton, where she met her husband, Dylan. The two had a short courtship and were soon fully committed to a life together.

With Dylan, she took on life's greatest privilege: motherhood. Benjamin, Nathaniel and Payton all brought the greatest joy to Amber's life. She was able to show her patience, empathy, emotional intelligence and kindness in the way she raised her children. By doing this, she ensured these qualities were always front and centre in their lives.

Already being an amazing wife and mother, she took on the challenge of becoming a business owner, opening her own basketball academy and fulfilling her dream of making an impact on young players entering the game. Outside of her children, it was these players who filled Amber's heart. While it was not always easy, and the first couple of years were a struggle, she showed the determination and persistence she had built throughout every chapter of her life to stick with it, forge incredible relationships, and impact the lives of many children through sport, just as she had always wanted.

Honing her coaching skills, she was able to coach in one of the most successful high school programmes in Edmonton, as well as with Team Alberta Basketball. While still coaching youth players, she also started working with Concordia Women's Basketball. It was here that she was able to use all of her skills, not only in coaching but also in leading young adults and building relationships on and off the court with players and staff alike. Although her cancer diagnosis ultimately took much of this ability from her, she remained involved by watching video and scouting all she could to help the team in any way she was still able.

A hard 18-month battle against cancer ultimately allowed her to see all of her children start school and begin their lives as young learners. Never wanting to be seen as a cancer patient, she fought for her life until July 2026, when she was finally overcome by the disease.

Amber is survived by her husband, Dylan, her three children, and a large extended family on both sides. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Alvin Bautz, and her grandmother, Gwen Jones.

Her mischief and passion for life could never be curtailed. Even while undergoing treatment, she found the time to hide hundreds of ducks in her in-laws' home, and they are still finding them now, a year after they were hidden there. The numerous water fights and trips to the zoo with her children, out-hiding everyone in hide-and-seek, or having ongoing scare battles with her son, in which they would try to frighten each other more and more over the course of the years, all reflected her optimism and spice for life, which was never diminished by any challenge.

She lit up every room she entered with an infectious smile and the ability to become your best friend within minutes of meeting you. Amber will always be remembered for her ability to make your day better, whether through a gentle conversation or a less gentle one, depending on what you needed. Her kindness and generosity will never be forgotten and form the legacy she leaves with her children and husband.

A Celebration of Amber's Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on 31 July 2026 at Telford House, 4907 46 Street, Leduc, AB.