May Fast

A 79-year-long story that began in the highlands of Scotland ended quietly at Pinawa Hospital on June 4th, as May Fast concluded her brave battle with cancer. 

May was a woman of contrasts: petite in stature but big in spirit, modest in her needs but generous in her giving; and while she was a gifted speaker, she never could quite figure out how to properly say words like “hood” and “book” the Canadian way (to the great amusement of her family).

May was born in 1945 in Peebles – a town she rarely mentioned despite constantly sharing stories about oddly-named Scottish places – and raised in Crianlarich, nestled next to Loch Lomond and Ben More. She often reminded us she grew up without a television, so she helped out around the farm and developed a lifelong love of reading instead.

Perhaps inspired by those books, May and two of her classmates set out on a great adventure to Canada shortly after completing nursing school. Her early postings in northern communities were filled with tales that could have been plucked from a novel: investigating a murder, surviving a boat crash, and getting a crash course in x-ray technology to help an injured friend.

In Cross Lake, the story took a romantic turn when she met a young teacher named Tim. They soon married and moved to Winnipeg for his studies while she worked at Victoria Hospital. Their journey took them to Carman for a brief stint before they finally settled in Pinawa, where May would make her lasting impact.

In Pinawa, May became more than just a nurse; she became a pillar of the community. Her colourful costumes at the Pinawa Ladies Bonspiel were legendary, as was her enthusiastic participation in local events. If you needed a poem for a birthday or retirement, a Mrs. Claus or a pregnant lady to sit on a trailer during a parade, or someone to fill an empty spot on a bowling team or the Pinawa Club board, May was there.

As Care Team Manager at Pinawa Hospital, May showcased her leadership and charm. She had a unique ability to persuade her team to take on extra shifts with a smile and managed a major facility expansion with grace. She epitomized the very best qualities of a nurse: caring, supportive, thoughtful, and tirelessly dedicated to the well-being of others.

May and Tim would have celebrated their 55th anniversary on June 27th. They raised two sons, Colin and Darrell, and delighted in their grandchildren, Cooper, Amy, and Elliot. Her distant family in Scotland, including her nephew Duncan and his children Siobhan and Andrew, remained close to her heart.

Friendship was one of May’s greatest gifts. Her phone conversations, which often seemed never-ending, spoke to the deep connections she maintained with people near and far. While she had too many friends to list here, the family wanted to give special thanks to Shirley Pellow, her “sister from another mister” and partner in crime for decades; the other members of the “A-Team,” Sharon and Myrna, who helped May with her many doctor’s appointments over the past few years; and Sandra Osborne, one of her oldest friends, who traveled from Vancouver to help care for May in her final days.

Fittingly, these women are all former nurses themselves, showing the sisterhood really knows how to take care of each other.

In her later years, May found profound joy in caring for her grandson Elliot. He was her greatest motivation in her fight against cancer, a bright light that kept her going through the toughest days. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Elliot’s education fund at www.gofundme.com/may-fast or via his uncle Colin at colinfast@gmail.com. May requested no funeral. Instead, a small celebration of life will be held in July, reflecting her wish for joy over sorrow.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com