OATWAY, ALICE
Alice Doreen Oatway (nee Graham) of Fredericton, NB passed away on her own terms at Fredericton’s Hospice House on April 22nd, 2016 at the age of 89. Alice was born the youngest of 6 children to Joseph and Jessie Graham in Calgary, AB on October 8th, 1926. She married the love of her life John Boyd Oatway on April 6th, 1950.
Alice is predeceased by her siblings Ted, Margaret (Sly), Max, Shirley (Kane), Ruth and her husband, Johnny.
Alice grew up in Calgary, started her secretarial career there and moved many times, keeping up with John’s career as an air worthiness inspector. Most of Alice’s career was spent as a medical secretary in Calgary, Vancouver and Richmond. She was recognized for being able to type 100 words per minute (error free) on a manual typewriter and for her superb organizational skills! After moving to Saskatoon, Alice spent the last 11 years before retirement as an executive secretary to the doctors at the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic.
Although Alice was always up for a new adventure, it was her love of community service and her church that lit her passion. Alice and John spent countless hours volunteering as youth group leaders, Sunday school teachers, camp counsellors, church secretary, planning events or fundraising for various organizations including the Canadian Hard of Hearing, Neighbourlink, the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Fredericton SPCA, and so many others. Alice had a gift for making each person who touched her life feel appreciated, special, treasured and loved.
In the late 60’s in Richmond BC, Alice and John opened their hearts and their home to those in trouble or just looking to be part of a loving family. There were so many teenagers dropping by for dinner the kitchen table was replaced by a ping pong table! 96 kids called themselves “The Oatway Family” and it inspired both a song and a charitable foundation. The “Oatway Family Scholarship Program” was established in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho by Alice’s grandson Jamie White to honour the way Alice and John looked at the world. The program provided a non-judgmental and co-operative environment where all people, regardless of background or belief would be loved, supported and empowered. This effort provided student scholarships as well as start-up funds for an HIV Women’s Beading Co-op and the Leribe Women’s Poultry Association.
Alice and John lived with their daughter Shirley and her husband Ron for many years in Alberta before taking a short vacation to Fredericton to visit Karen and her husband Steve … and staying! Once again, despite diminishing hearing and eyesight Alice embraced all that life had to offer. The Stepping Stones Craft Group was a big part of that. Alice moved to Ste. Anne’s Court in 2014 where she made many new, wonderful friends and faithfully followed her Toronto Blue Jays and Calgary Stampeders. To the end of her days, Alice showed kindness, appreciation and generosity towards everyone she met.
A special thank you with gratitude to Dr. Gowan and the Chalmers Hospital Palliative nursing team, Dr. Saniz and the Hospice House care team, as well as Pastor Larry Matthews and Pastor Gerry Matthews who supported her through her final days. She battled numerous medical conditions (she called “nigglies”) with an enduring faith in God and the love and support of her family.
Alice leaves behind her children Shirley Ann and husband Ron White; Ted and wife Julia Oatway; Sharon Oatway; Karen and husband Steve McGeean; Kendy Bentley and husband David Lachapelle; grandchildren Terri and Derek, Jamie and Kelly, Kaley, Amanda and Dane, Samantha and Christopher, Stephanie, Kristie and Andrew; and great-grandchildren Emily, Erick, Jaiden and Azalea.
A celebration of her life and unfaltering love of God will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 2:00pm with a Reception to follow in the adjoining room.
Flower tributes will be graciously accepted (pink please!). Memorial donations may be made to the Fredericton SPCA, Faith Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be made at www.mcadamsfh.com
A life truly well-lived! Alice is already and will forever be deeply missed.