Islay Margaret was born Thursday, January 24, 1924 in Elderslie Township to Mckenzie John and Wilmetta (Calhoun) Sweiger. She was the eldest of Kenzie and Metta’s three children – Islay, Jack (1933) and Shirley (1934). The Sweigers grew up on a farm on the 10th of Elderslie. The children attended S.S. # 11 and as was common back then, Islay did not attend high school. Islay fondly remembered her transportation to school each morning. Kenzie would sit Islay on top of one of his work horses, Belle, and send her off to school. When she arrived, she would hop off and the horse would wander home. Great for getting to school but the trip home was another story! In the winter, she would hitch a ride home with the mail man. In nice weather, she would walk home with cousins Ruth and Blanche.
Islay helped with all aspects of farming, including the livestock and the fields. When Islay was a young girl her job was to round up the cows for milking and bring the turkeys home to roost in the evening. The animals weren’t fenced in so they were free to roam anywhere they pleased, creating a daily challenge for Islay to get them back to the barn.
During the war, Islay moved and worked in St. Catharines for two years. It was here that Islay worked at McKinnon Industries making a variety of products to help with the war effort. Being a young woman on her own, making a wage and having lots of women co-workers made for a very enjoyable time for Islay. Islay gained several life-long friends during her time in St. Catharines.
Upon returning home, Islay met Gordon Benjamin Fawcett one evening while at a community dance. The couple dated for a short time before being married on June 21, 1944 at the parsonage of the United Church in Allenford. Their wedding reception followed in Owen Sound and the couple resided in Tara for their first year of marriage. They then moved onto the Fawcett family farm on the 10th of Arran in 1945. Once married, Islay worked alongside her husband on the farm. Islay recalled milking the cows the morning Judy was born (July 24, 1946) before heading into Owen Sound for Judy’s birth.
In the mid-60’s Islay worked part time outside of the home at the nursing home and Home Hardware in Tara. In 1978, after a barn fire, Gordon and Islay moved to Tara, selling the farm to nephew Tim Sweiger. Shortly after moving into town, they took over a rural mail route and continued delivering mail for Canada Post together until they retired in 1999.
Islay had many passions as she always lived life to the fullest. She loved knitting sweaters and scarfs, and crocheting baby blankets, placemats and dish cloths. She also cross stitched squares that pieced together to be quilted, creating quilts for her daughter, granddaughters, grandson and great-granddaughters. Islay had a passion for reading, a trait she passed on to everyone in her family, especially her great-grandson. She also was an avid curler and was proud to talk about her curling prizes such as a silver 1964 Southampton champions mug. Islay also loved going to the casino. She graced the doors of many casinos over the years, which included many bus trips to destinations including Orillia, Flamboro and Niagara Falls. She wasn’t a big spender often only playing the penny and nickel slots, yet was particular about her machine. God help you if you took a machine that Islay had her eye on or was fond of. Islay also loved to drive – not only the team of horses when she was younger but also her beloved 1999 white Honda Civic.
Being quite the shopper, Islay loved her fancy dishes (china and tea pots), watches, and jewelry, which were often found while wandering in the flea markets. Islay loved being around people and was outgoing, friendly, generous and caring. She loved keeping up with all the family news, and often spent hours on the telephone chatting with family and friends. When it was your birthday, you could expect either a card, with a personal letter inside or a telephone call. When not socializing she kept informed by reading the Owen Sound Sun Times, tuning into CBC for news and watching curling, the Blue Jays or Hockey Night in Canada. Islay also enjoyed playing cards. In recent years, bid euchre was her favourite game. However, she was famous for over bidding! Islay could also be quite strong-willed and feisty, which would have allowed her to survive not only the time of war, but also farm life.
What was her drink of choice you may ask? Well a glass of white wine of course! And don’t forget the plain Miss Vickie’s potato chips! On that topic, she always encouraged her family to “mix your own drinks,” and reassured her granddaughters with the line, “Don’t worry about boyfriends, they will come and go. Girlfriends will stay with you forever.” She loved a piece of chocolate or a sweet with a cup of tea, and was known to be up at 3 am for a snack of Mars bar.
In 2001, Islay moved to Port Elgin. She enjoyed her time there, especially at the beach, and fondly remembered the social gatherings she participated in with the other ladies in her neighbourhood. In 2014, with her health declining, Islay moved to Hanover. This is a move she would be quick to tell you that she didn’t approve of, but was needed. Even more upsetting was having to sell her Honda.
Sadly, Islay Margaret Fawcett (Sweiger) passed away at Hanover & District Hospital on Thursday, January 26, 2017 in her 94th year. In the week leading up to her death, many family members and friends took the time to visit and sit with her in the hospital.
Dear Mother of Judy and Leon Ribey. Beloved Grandma of Glenda and Andrew Rozomiak, Sandra and Jeff Faught and Doug and Christa Ribey. Special Great-Gram to Amelia, Thomas and Sara Rozomiak and Paige and Quinn Ribey. Sister to Jack and Doris Sweiger and Shirley Grondin.
Fondly remembered by her Sweiger and Davidson nieces, nephews and their families as well as her many friends and cousins. Islay was predeceased by her parents Kenzie and Wilmetta (Calhoun) Sweiger and her husband Gordon.
A Celebration of Islay’s life will be held at the Klages Mill, Chesley (11 1st Ave. N.) on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 1 – 4 p.m. Words of Remembrance will take place at 2 p.m. Inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation or Dobbinton United Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
