Fay passed away peacefully at Hollandview Chartwell Retirement Home in Aurora on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the age of 82.
Fay was the daughter of the late Eldon & Cora (nee Foy) Blackburn. She was the beloved wife of the late David Franklin Whitney.
Fay was the dear sister of Clair (Sadie) Blackburn, Louise (Roger) Wagner, Leonard (Karen) Blackburn, Larry (Bonnie) Blackburn, Lyle (Lynn) Blackburn, and the late Betty Blackburn. She is fondly remembered by brothers-in-law Jim (Linda) Whitney and Bill Long. Fay was predeceased by her sister-in-law Ruth Long.
Fay was a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews and their families. Many special memories were forged as Aunt Fay and Uncle Dave hosted family at the farm during the summer months.
She will be missed by her caregivers, ‘her girls’, who loved her dearly and were very much like family to her. Fay taught them about perseverance and didn’t let anything deter her from living her life to the fullest. With her girls and ‘Kit Kat’ by her side she enjoyed many adventures like swimming, pub afternoons and games, and she always played to win! She was able to go on an Alaskan cruise with her family with the help of her caregiver Elissa.
Fay grew up on a farm in Feversham. When she was old enough, she moved to Toronto and worked on switchboard for a few years with Bell Telephone. She then moved to a customer service roll within the company. It was there she met David; they were married August 8, 1964.
From Toronto they moved to Kitchener, where Fay worked for Bell Telephone for over 30 years. While working during the day, she and David also bought the family farm in Brunner. She would wake early to practise piano, clean the house, and help with barn chores. Fay was a great gardener and her flower beds were stunning.
Due to David’s health the farm was sold and the couple moved to Wellesley. Upon their retirement they travelled to many places: their favourite was cruising through many parts of the world. They later moved to the Maple Meadows community in Meaford, enjoying the local trails, sightseeing, biking and swimming. As a couple, they enjoyed playing music together, and they also tended to a section of the Bruce Trail for a few years. They loved travelling to exotic places like Russia and Panama, which kept them young and active.
After David’s death in 2022, the condo in Meaford was sold, and Fay moved to a retirement home closer to her family. She enjoyed her time there, walking, planting flowers, and travelling with friends on short excursions.
A service will be conducted at the Meaford United Church on Saturday, January 17 at 1 p.m., with interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Bruce Trail Conservancy would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
