It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Fay Loreen Pole (nee Terry) in her 99th year on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, at Bluewater Health in Sarnia.
Fay was pre-deceased by her best friend and loving husband of 68 years, Neil (1927 – 2024), and was the much-loved mother of Doug (Sharon) – Oakville, Dianne – Sarnia, and Janet (Kevin) – London. Grandmother of Shannon (Brian), Frazer (Renée), and Stuart (Emma), who all live in Burlington, which is an interesting coincidence with her having grown up there. Sister of Jean Kost (Richard) of Santa Clarita, California and Robert Terry (Donna) of Waterdown, Ontario. Fay was also pre-deceased by her parents Goldwyn and Erie (nee Erwin).
Fay was born In Port Credit on June 3, 1928, and the family initially lived at her grandparents’ house in Clarkson. When it was time for her father to start his own farm, they moved to King Road in Aldershot (now Burlington) where she lived until heading off to university after graduating from Waterdown High School. She studied at the University of Toronto (Victoria College) and graduated first in her class with a degree in Home Economics, and from OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) with a teaching degree. Fay was working at Glebe Collegiate when she went on a blind date and met the love of her life, Neil, at a Grey Cup Party in Toronto. Fay and Neil were married in Burlington in 1955 and Fay taught at Queen Street School in Welland while Neil worked in St Catherine’s until 1956 when they moved to Sarnia where Neil took over his father’s pharmacy.
Fay was a long-time active member of Grace United Church, being involved in many of their activities, especially the annual Fall Fair. In addition, Fay was an active member of the Norman Rogers Chapter of the IODE, and the University Women’s Club, where she developed friendships that lead to the formation of a Gourmet Club that she loved being part of. Fay enjoyed her weekly bridge club, and gardening around the house, as she was well known for her love of flowers. She and Neil were long time members of the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club where they both golfed, curled, and enjoyed socializing with their many friends. She was also a coordinator with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals for a number of years. She was very accomplished on the piano, having achieved a Grade 10 level from the University of Toronto, and loved attending the International Symphony Orchestra, the Sarnia Concert Association series, and any other musical events that came to town.
Fay and Neil purchased his parents’ cottage on Lakeshore Rd. to build a home where she and her family lived for 45 years – enjoying all that lake living has to offer plus as a wonderful place for the grandchildren to visit their grandparents, aka the “Beach Buddies”. From early in her life, she enjoyed traveling and seeing new things. One of the summers while she was at university, her and 2 girlfriends signed up for the adventure of driving a car to California that needed to be relocated. Over the years Fay and Neil traveled extensively, visiting six of the seven continents, and had many fond memories of all their adventures.
Once the house on the lake became too much for them to handle, they moved to an apartment on Sandy Lane where they continued to enjoy the water while watching all the boat activity in the Sarnia Yacht Club and under the Bluewater Bridge. Fay later moved to Fairwinds Lodge for a short time until it closed due to a fire, then on to Landmark Village where she enjoyed the music programs, bingo, sitting outside enjoying the lovely gardens and watching the world go by.
As an expression of sympathy please consider a donation to the Bluewater Health Foundation Sarnia, or charity of your choice (cheque only at the funeral home). A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date, followed by a private service at the cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.
