Elizabeth Joan Fahey

(née Cummings) • 1932 – 2026

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Elizabeth Joan Fahey announces her passing into the arms of her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Caressant Care Long-Term Care in Lindsay, Ontario, at the age of 93. Joan was born on December 16, 1932, in Carleton Place, Ontario, the daughter of the late William Charles Cummings and Agnes Hilda (Johnson) Cummings, sister of the late Fr. Lloyd Cummings and Dr. Robert Cummings, sister-in-law of the late Renee (Paradis) Cummings.

A Life of Faith, Learning and Service

Joan grew up in Carleton Place, where she was active in Girl Guides as a leader at summer camp. She graduated from Carleton Place High School in 1951 and went on to Queen’s University on a three-year Atkinson Foundation Entrance Scholarship, graduating in 1953 with an Honours BA in English and History.

On October 15, 1953, she entered the Novitiate of Our Lady’s Missionaries in Alexandria, Ontario, leaving in July 1955. She worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Ottawa while continuing her studies at St. Patrick’s College, earning a BA in 1957 and the Prize in Religion that same year. From there she attended Ontario Teachers’ College in Toronto (1957–1958), obtained her Ontario Permanent Teacher’s Certificate in 1959, and taught English at the High School of Commerce in Ottawa from 1957 to 1961. She was a Lieutenant in the 4th Ottawa Guide Company from 1957 to 1962.

On August 5, 1961, Joan married Patrick Fahey at St. Mary’s Church in Ottawa. Together they built a life centred on faith, family and community, and shared sixty-five years of marriage.

Joan never stopped learning or serving. Beginning in 1985 she attended the Centre for the Training of Psychotherapists in Toronto and received her diploma from the Centre for The Training of Psychotherapists in Toronto in 1998. From 1993 to 2001 she served as a Director of York County Hospital in Newmarket. In 1976, she was the York Region Separate School Board representative for Georgina and East Gwillimbury. She was active in the Catholic Women’s League, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (President, 1986-1988) and other parish organizations at Immaculate Conception Parish in Sutton, Ontario. She was instrumental in helping Laotian refugees settle into the community as co-chair of the Laotian Refugee Committee (1979-1980), and gave her time to Hospice Georgina (Treasurer, 1998-2003) the Georgina Food Pantry (Co-chair, 1986-1988), Georgina Library Board (1989) and board member of Georgina Community Living (1972-1974).

Cherished by Her Family

Joan was the devoted spouse of Patrick Fahey for sixty-five years, loving sister of Fr. (Charles) Donald Cummings (retired), and the beloved mother of Tom Fahey (Kathy), Donald Fahey (Bonnie), David Fahey (Carrie), Carolyn Crate (Jim) and Maureen Rynard (John). She was a proud grandmother to Robert, Colin, Peter, Kyle, Caleb, Jeffrey, Jamie, Alison and Michael, and a great-grandmother to Stella, Calvin, Colson, Carter, Levi, Violet and Cooper. She will be deeply missed by her close friend Marilyn Adair and by all who knew her.

A Life Well Lived

Joan will be remembered for her deep faith, her commitment to family, and her outreach and counselling to those who needed help. Her kindness, her steady presence and her willingness to serve others left a lasting mark on her family, her parish and her community.

Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church — St. Mary’s, 40 Russell Street East, Lindsay, Ontario. Reception to follow the Mass.

A Celebration of Life will be hosted by the family on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Kin Community Hall, 3 Fairpark Lane, Sutton, Ontario.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass, the Celebration of Life, or both, as they wish.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society, or to a local charity of your choice, would be appreciated by the family.