Felice "Faye" Sturrock

We regretfully announce the passing of Faye Sturrock on July 16, 2021. She left the world from the peace and comfort of her own home in Victoria, where she was cared for and surrounded by loving family.

Born February 3, 1928 and raised in Montreal, Faye made her mark early as an avid learner, award-winning poet, and active member of many school societies, such as in her role as school prefect at the Montreal School for Girls and as founder and president of the Girls Hi-Y social service club. Her leadership continued in the summers, working as a camp counsellor, and at McGill University, where she founded the McGills Girls’ School Alumni Society and participated in a number of societies. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1949, then obtained a second degree from McGill’s School of Social Work and began her career working with youth groups. She organized the first Girls’ department of Montreal’s East End Boys Club; when life brought her west to Vancouver, she became the director of the Kiwassa Girls’ Club, which provided disadvantaged girls opportunities to learn new skills and see parts of Vancouver they otherwise could not. In her role as director, Faye touched the lives of many young women, serving as an inspiration, a role model, and a concrete example that women could impact lives outside of the home. She also worked as a social worker at the Woodlands School, Essondale Hospital, and the Gordon Neighborhood House.

Faye met her future husband, Howard, at the Jericho Tennis Club in the summer of 1958. In a whirlwind romance, the two were engaged, married, and off on their honeymoon before the year’s end. Faye embraced family life with the same verve she brought to other parts of her life. Soon, she and Howard had three sons under the age of three; when the boys entered school, they welcomed the arrival of a much anticipated daughter. Faye continued to play an active role in the community as president of the North Vancouver Chapter of the Voice of Women, Vice Chair of the North Shore Community Chest, a founding member of the Lynn Valley Co-op Housing Society, and founder of the North Shore Unitarian Church. This talent for community leadership continued when the family moved to Victoria in 1974, where Faye volunteered for Planned Parenthood and chaired the Halloween UNICEF project for three years. She was an active member of the Unitarian Church of Victoria, a church board member for five years (including as board chair), and was a key member of the committee that purchased and renovated a new location for the church in West Saanich when the congregation outgrew their building in James Bay. A voracious reader with an interest in politics, Faye researched political issues and devoted time to lobbying governments, including several prime ministers, about issues she advocated for, such as peace in the Middle East. Faye’s enduring support of Howard allowed him to thrive in both his private professional work and public service roles.

Faye and Howard loved to entertain; she took on neighbourhood socials, church fundraiser lunches and dinners, murder mystery evenings, badminton and ping pong tournaments, and holiday family gatherings with joy, energy, and elegance. She and Howard also found joy in traveling. Their globetrotting took them from Tahiti to the Great Wall of China to the Pyramids in Egypt; their children and grandchildren fondly remember Faye and Howard hosting family holidays in Mexico, among other places.

Faye was a passionate supporter of the arts—such as the opera, theater, and ballet—and enthusiastic member of the Scottish Country Dance community and Ballroom Dance group. She loved walks in her neighbourhood, her longtime book club, gardening, bridge, smocking, and continuing her childhood love of writing poetry. A cryptic crossword fanatic, she passed her love of puzzles to other family members. She adored her grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments.

Faye is lovingly remembered by her four children, Ian, Michael, Christopher, and Airlie, and by their families. The family extends their sincere gratitude to Faye’s caregivers and to Victoria Hospice for their compassion, support, and professionalism. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia or Victoria Hospice.