Clara "Faye" (Jakins) WOODWORTH

It is with profound sadness that the family of Faye Woodworth announces her passing on December 3, 2022 at the Elrose Health Centre.

Clara Faye (Jakins) Woodworth was born January 14, 1931 at the home of her parents, James Ellis and Gladys Harriet (Thomson) Jakins.  The family farm was south of Dinsmore, Saskatchewan on Section 18–25–10, W3rd. Faye made her way into this world, supervised and assisted by her grandmother Clara Jakins, who had been a midwife in England prior to the family coming to Canada in 1911.

Faye was the middle child of a family of five: Doris, Jean, Faye, Mickey (Malcolm) and J.C (James Cecil).  She started school at Star Centre School, but around the start of World War II, the family moved to a new home just south of Saskatoon, off Clarence Avenue close to Grasswood School.

Dad Jim worked off the small farm at various jobs, so Gladys was often responsible for the children and the care of the livestock. Faye liked helping care for the animals, milking cows, and all the other necessary chores on a mixed farm of that era. 

In the spring of 1946, Jim and Gladys, with Faye, Mickey and JC in tow, moved to Fort Langley, BC to a small farm on the Fraser River. Faye helped on the family farm and spent a few months working as a domestic and farm helper for a neighbouring couple before she ventured off to Vancouver. In Vancouver she worked for some time at Woodward‘s Department Store.

Returning to Saskatchewan a few years later she worked in the hardware department of Eaton’s in Saskatoon. Back in Saskatchewan, Faye was able to spend time off with her now married sisters and get acquainted with nieces and nephews and renew many old friendships.

In 1952 Faye returned to BC where she worked for a time as a ward aide at Langley Memorial Hospital, and then transferred to working as receptionist and telephone operator in the hospital office.

Back to Saskatchewan again in 1954, and Faye worked for the Alex Elliott family in the Coteau View area.  It was during this time she met the man that was to become her husband.  On July 14, 1956 Faye married Thomas Douglas Woodworth in the Elrose United Church. The newlyweds set up house on the Woodworth Family farm on 22-25-14W3.  This was home for Faye until they retired to Elrose in 1996.  She worked alongside Doug on the farm, raising crops and cattle, driving grain truck when needed, baling and always planted a huge garden.

Faye became heavily involved in the 4-H program when her children were old enough to participate, She served as a general leader and also as District President for several years.

She was an active member of the Elrose United Church serving several years on Session Board and as Congregational Secretary. Faye was an active UCW member and served as head convener for countless years. She was also UCW President, and then Treasurer for many years.

Faye was at the first meeting to set up the Elrose United Appeal and she served as a director from its beginning to end.  She spent years doing the annual canvassing in the community. Faye was also involved with the Elrose Salvation Army Rural Services Unit. This was an offshoot of the United Appeal and she served as its Secretary/Treasurer from its inception to end.  Faye was privileged to meet many of the Salvation Army Officers over the years during attendance to Annual Meetings.

Faye is survived by her husband of 66 years, Doug and three children: son Mark (Laurie) Woodworth: granddaughter Hayley (Greg) Park and their children Collyns, Austin and Brett of Regina; grandson Graham (Dani) and their children Bennett and Asher of Saskatoon. Daughter Diane Woodworth (Dave Renwick) of Elva, Manitoba.  Son James Woodworth and daughter Anna Faye (Cade Balan) of Vancouver, and her special niece Bev Blythe.

Faye is also survived by her sister Jean McKenzie of Outlook and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Gladys and Jim, sister Doris and brother-in-law Norman Skoyen, brothers James Cecil Jakins, Malcolm Jakins, and brother-in-law Norman McKenzie.

A Celebration of Life for Faye was held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elrose United Church.

Donations in memory of Faye may be directed to the Elrose United Church, P.O. Box 118, Elrose, SK, S0L 0Z0.