Dorothy Fay McGillivray

On December 11th, 2022, Fay McGillivray, age 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, after many years of declining health. She bravely fought like a trooper throughout it all, never giving up or losing hope that she would one day regain her strength and health.

Fay was born in Edmonton, January 20th, 1942, to John and Dorothy McGillivray. Her father was in the Canadian Air Force and the family moved frequently. Spending many wonderful years in Edmonton, Montreal, Whitehorse, Lethbridge, and Vancouver. Fay spent her teenage years in Vancouver, in the West Point Grey area, attending Lord Byng High School. She spent many carefree days in the sun at Locarno Beach and enjoying the city life on Granville Street with her many friends. One of her fondest times was when she belonged to the youth group at St. Andrew's Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver. One of Fay’s favourite places to explore was Lighthouse Park in Caulfeild, West Vancouver.

Fay enjoyed doing promos for CKNW radio in the 1960’s. You could see her beautiful face at many different CKNW events, such as the legendary Bathtub Races in Kitsilano, Westwood Raceway, and many car dealerships around Vancouver.

After graduating high school, Fay and her family moved to sunny Los Angeles, where she enrolled in Stewardess school. She and her fellow stewardesses had many fun adventures and great times together traveling around the US. Fay worked for United Airlines, based out of LA. for a couple of years before she was married. In those days, you were not allowed to continue working as a stewardess if you were married. Fay married Vancouverite Robert (Bob) Shiell in Los Angeles in July 1964 at La Tijera United Methodist Church and honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica. After they were married, the couple returned to Vancouver to make their home.

Fay and Bob had three children, Susan, Sandra, and John. They ended up moving to Tsawwassen, BC to raise their family. Many memorable times were spent together on their boat, camping on the gulf islands - the boater’s campsite on Galiano Island being Fay’s favourite. We all enjoyed our family trips to Hawaii and California. Fay loved bowling and was a member of the Tsawwassen bowling league. Fay was also a Brownie leader and loved her bridge club. She had many great friends in Tsawwassen.

In the early 1980’s, the family relocated to Calgary, Alberta. Soon after the move, Fay and Bob divorced. After not working for almost 20 years, Fay found a wonderful career working at Guardian Insurance in downtown Calgary. She especially enjoyed the annual office Stampede party! She was an integral part of the Guardian Insurance team, working directly with the Senior Vice President, Jim Sinclair. Her co-workers appreciated her sense of humour, and her love of organizing many memorable office parties and functions. For a time, she was a member of the Alberta Business Travel Association and really enjoyed it - she was able to travel to Germany and had many fond memories of that trip. She was with Guardian Insurance for many years until she had to take an early retirement due to health concerns.

She divided her retirement time between Calgary and her second home in Hemet, California. She loved her little place in Hemet West - sitting in the sun, relaxing beside the pool, and spending time with her many friends. While in Calgary, she focused on enjoying time with her children and grandchildren. She was a loving and fun gramma to all of the kids. She loved to play with them and was always there to offer her wisdom and guidance whenever needed. Fay would be the first person to call on anyone’s birthday, and she would always sing Happy Birthday. She loved spending summer days at Angel’s cafe gazing out over the Bow River. One of her favourite restaurants was the Scotman’s Well, she always had a half cup of coffee with a shot of Amaretto (on the side) to go with her meal. Fay loved to sit outside on her porch with a coffee and waving hello to her neighbours and people that walked by. Many sunny days were spent enjoying a visit with friends and family sitting on a porch, cup of coffee in hand.

Fay was a very caring, and selfless person, who even in her last days would ask you how you were doing. If someone was sick, she would try to figure out what was wrong with them, even when she herself was in extreme discomfort. She would always recommend the “black sock treatment” when any of us were sick. She would rub Vicks on our necks and wrap a black sock around it. Or, she would say, “You need to gargle with salt water” if anyone had a sore throat. Her little miracle cures always seemed to help.

Her health declined in her later years and she spent the last two years of her life at St. Teresa Place in Calgary, where she made many friends and received excellent care from the staff and caregivers.

She will be reunited in heaven with her oldest brother, Bill McGillivray (Judy) of Illinois, and her parents, John & Dorothy McGillivray (nee Colby). Fay will be remembered by her siblings, Susan McGillivray (Jim) of Victoria, and Bob McGillivray (Lettie) of Hawaii.

Missing their mom will be her three children, Susan Gillrie (Darrin) of Calgary, Sandra Shiell (Randy Kopp) of Langley, and John Shiell (Debra Cheng-yen) of Calgary. Missing their beloved gramma will be her special grandchildren, Zachery Gillrie, Jacson Gillrie, Fatima Kaddoura, Maria Randen, Anita Randen, Paula Randen, and William Shiell. Her two great-grandchildren, Ahmed Kalayi Khidir, and Amina Hasan are very grateful they were able to get to know her and will always remember their special great gramma.

A private family memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, Fay always wanted to help people in need and would appreciate donations to The Mustard Seed https://theseed.ca/ways-to-give/ or The Calgary Food Bank https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/