Isobel Jean Fedyna (Peterson), resident of Grande Prairie, Alberta passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17th at Prairie Lake Seniors Community at the age of 85.

Isobel was an extraordinary woman, who dedicated her life to her faith, family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Isobel took pride in creating a warm and loving home. She enjoyed entertaining and friends were always welcome. At the Fedyna household, the coffee pot was always on and pie was on the counter. Her passion for gardening brought beauty to her exterior surroundings and served as a reflection of her nurturing spirit. Her yard was even voted as the most beautiful in Grande Prairie one summer.

Isobel expressed her creativity in every aspect of her life. She was also a talented artist, and many homes still have her portraits on their walls. Whether through her art, home decorating, gardening, or her cooking, she poured her heart into all that she did. Her culinary skills delighted everyone, making every meal, especially Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas a cherished memory. Most of us still use her delicious recipes.

Isobel was a dedicated wife and partner to Mike Fedyna for 56 years. She and Mike ran a popular hairstyling shop in Grande Prairie for decades called the Wigwam, until they retired 25 years ago. They then enjoyed a wonderful retirement up until 2014 when Mike passed away suddenly, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Isobel struggled with this disease as it slowly took her quality of life away over the past 10 years. Early in the disease, her deep faith in God guided her through this life challenge and it was a source of strength for her family.

Both in health and in sickness, she always instilled values of love, kindness, and faith, leaving a lasting legacy that will be cherished by her family and friends.

Her absence will be profoundly felt by her family, including her son Ric Fedyna (Darlene) and daughter Wendy Szakacs (Kevin), as well as her beloved grandchildren Raelee Annett (Greg), Ru Cabodyna (Kai), Michael Szakacs (Liz), Chloe Szakacs (Paul) and Morgan Szakacs. Also, her great-grandchildren Indiana, Juniper, Osha and Theodoros. She will also be missed by her siblings and close relatives on both sides of the family.

The family would like to acknowledge special friends Bill Eckel, Noemi Gerrard, Lena Lunam and Gail Haakstad, who were instrumental in being with Isobel during the most challenging times over the past 10 years. Also, out-of-towner’s niece Dawn Sutcliffe, brother Lyle Peterson and her best friend from her youth Mavis Brown, who always took time to come and visit her.

Isobel was predeceased by her loving husband Mike Fedyna, her parents Reverend William and Beatrice Peterson, brother Tillian, Sofy and Nick Fedyna, niece Janice Goodridge (Sutcliffe) and best friend Agnes Patterson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either Ric and Darlene Fedyna’s charity Play-it-Forward Projects www.playitforward.ca or the Northwestern Alberta Foundation directed to the Fund: SZAKACS/Fedyna Family Fund at https://cfna.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1176

The family will be having a small Celebration of Life for Isobel at a later date.

“It’s been such a long good-bye. Rest easy Mama. Please give Dad a hug for us. We miss you so much already”

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.