Fauline Faye Sweetland

Fauline Faye Sweetland (nee Porter)

March 14, 1941 - January 28, 2022

Fauline Faye Sweetland passed into the everlasting arms of Jesus in her sleep, in her 81^st year. We can only imagine what it has been like for Faye to finally see her Saviour and Lord and fully be in His presence.

Beloved wife of David Lionel Sweetland for over 62 years which started at the “Chuck Wagon” restaurant in Woodstock.

Cherished mother of Stephen (Donna Beth) Sweetland, Lawrence (Heather) Sweetland, Bradley (Judy) Sweetland, Andrew Sweetland and Jennifer Woodford, loving grandmother/great grandmother to Joshua (Amy- Calvin +Haddon) Sweetland, Sarajayne (John – Fischer+Aberdene) Dekker, Jesiah (Catie – Paisley +?) Sweetland, Matthew (Katie – Georgie+Hank) Sweetland, Melissa (Jordan – Lucy+Ray) Roberts, Hillary (Will - Lucas) Walters, Chris, Alex, Jordyn, Nicole Sweetland and Cameron, Amber Woodford.

Dear sibling of Lorraine, Randolph (Bud), and Larry Porter, as well as Cathy and Donna Tozer. She will always be remembered by her many extended family and friends.   

Predeceased by her parents Sterling and Olga Porter (nee Stirling) and by her siblings, Marilyn Spencer (nee Porter) and Wayne Porter. 

Faye/Mom will be deeply missed. We already have been inwardly grieving her loss over the past few years with the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. The big grief we have already felt is as a result of a big love that we experienced through Mom’s love for life, children, baking, cooking, hosting, reading, worshipping, serving, chatting, having tea and listening. We intend to remember, honour and mourn her outwardly going forward through our own unique expression of the things she cherished. 

Faye was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She dedicated her life to raising her family and living for her Lord as a faithful servant within and outside of her home. She loved to cook and bake much to the appreciation of David and her children. Faye spoke often of her young life in Nova Scotia. She loved her Dulse (dried seaweed snack) and frequenting Mel’s Fish and Chips with David in Woodstock for their regular seafood fix. She often mentioned her time spent with her Nana – who lived in her home town, Springhill, Nova Scotia. Her Nana consistently took her to the local Salvation Army church to worship and learn about Jesus. 

Many children in Ingersoll, Ontario were touched by “Mrs Sweetland’s” efforts in the Ingersoll after-school and backyard bible clubs for many years. Still to this day people approach family members to acknowledge the impact she had on their lives as children in the clubs and in her Sunday School classes. Faye and David were long time members of Ingersoll First Baptist Church and always spoke fondly of cherished friendships that blossomed there.

Faye/Mom was a faithful prayer counsellor on the phone for many years at 100 Huntley Street in Burlington. Experiences early in her life prepared her to have an empathetic ear for those who were hurting and needing guidance. She spoke often of how valuable and therapeutic this time was toward her own growth on her life’s journey. Faye confidently and consistently used her voice to advocate for the rights of pre-born babies in the womb and the young moms needing the support to raise them in their local community. 

Faye/Mom loved to talk in colours. Her favourite colour was purple. We often had fun with her while each quizzing her about what colour she thought we each represented in the moment. The amazing thing about this little exercise is she rarely changed her answer for each of us at any given time over the years. We would laugh together about how our colours never changed! 

Ode to the East Coast: https://youtu.be/7Pu6L84JFN0 Faye’s Dr in Springhill as a child was Anne Murray’s father. Faye’s dad was a coal miner whose life was cut short in the Springhill Mine Disaster of 1958. 75 miners died that day. 

Faye loved the Psalms and her much loved and shared bible verse was found in Numbers 6:24-26:  “24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” This scripture became a popular one throughout the pandemic which incidentally was announced to Canada the day before her birthday March 13^th 2020. https://youtu.be/d48-qbcovVY

 Poor Bishop Hooper - Psalm 23 (EveryPsalm) - YouTube

 Faye’s much-loved hymn was also admired by her father Sterling: I come to the Garden Alone. https://youtu.be/x2jYB_IbQsQ

 The Sweetland Family would like to sincerely thank the Elgin Manor staff and Dr Derek Vaughan for their compassionate and tender loving care with our Mom over the past three years. We are so grateful Mom and Dad had this quality time together under your care after having to leave their home in Ingersoll. We would also like to thank Paul and Barb Wareing of Wareing Cremation Services for their guidance and support during this time.

Arrangements for a private family gathering/memorial are in process. Interment will occur in the spring of 2022 at Ebenezer Grove Cemetery in Mount Elgin, Ontario. 

If desired, memorial contributions in her name to any one of these organizations loved and supported by Faye/Mom would mean so much:

 1) Giving - First Baptist Church Ingersoll (fbcingersoll.com)

 2) Donations to Elgin Manor - Elgin County

 3) 100 Huntley Street Canada 

4) “Beginnings Pregnancy Care Centre” Donate to Beginnings – Beginnings Family Services 

5) Make a donation | Compassion Canada 

6) Support The African Children's Choir | Registered 501c(3) (africanchildrenschoir.com)

Expressions of sympathy may be sent by mail to David Lionel Sweetland and Family at Elgin Manor 39262 Fingal Line, St Thomas, ON N5P 3S5. 

Kindly, The Sweetland Family