Weltha Faye (Shoup) Koscielny

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Weltha Faye Koscielny, a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt. Born on October 18, 1949, in Lacombe, Alberta, Faye was the third child of seven born to the late Lowell and Polly Shoup.  Her parents proudly named her in honour of her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother in which Faye highly revered.

Faye's childhood was nurtured on a farm in the Eclipse district, where she learned the value of hard work, acquired an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and developed a strong family bond. She attended Clive school, and then Lacombe Composite High School.  Upon her graduation, she embarked on a journey to Edmonton, where she found her calling as a healthcare aide, caring for residents in nursing homes spanning her entire career. 

While in Edmonton, Faye was married briefly to her first husband, Jerry Cherwaty.  Faye then met and married Dieter Keller.  Their union lasted for 25 years together as husband and wife. Their journey took them to Enderby, British Columbia, where they enjoyed retirement and the beauty of their surroundings. It was in Enderby that fate introduced her to Steve Koscielny, her third husband. Together, they resided in Vernon, British Columbia, until Steve's passing.  Due to complications with diabetes, Faye returned to her hometown of Lacombe, finding comfort in familiar surroundings and childhood memories.

On August 18, 2023, Faye's sudden passing at the Lacombe Long Term Care Centre marked the end of a life well-lived at the age of 73. Faye was a woman of faith and spent her free time volunteering at local church events giving back to the community. She was a devoted Christian who found strength and solace in her daily readings of the Bible. Her unwavering spirituality guided her through life's challenges and joys.

Faye had a vibrant personality and an artistic soul. She found joy in creative pursuits like crafts, crocheting, drawing and painting. She would use her creativity to entertain young children at family gatherings.  Her mischievous sense of humour was one of her defining traits – she was known for playing practical jokes on her cherished family and friends. Her quick wit and love for sharing jokes with everyone she met spread laughter wherever she went, leaving a trail of smiles in her wake.

Throughout her journey, Faye's ties to her family remained strong. She took time to maintain a tradition of connection by regularly writing heartfelt letters and sending magazine articles of interest to her close family members. Despite not having children of her own, Faye's legacy lives on through the numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and even great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Faye is survived by her stepson, Derrick Koscielny, as well as her siblings: Beverly Wheeler-Davidson of Joffre, Debra (Darrell) Hatt of Delburne, Mark (Tracy) Shoup of Stony Plain, and Deanna Shoup of Red Deer. She is predeceased by her parents, Lowell and Polly Shoup, her brother Dale Shoup, and her sister Lois Shoup.

Family and friends are invited to honour Faye’s life at a Graveside Service to be held at the Bentley Cemetery on August 28, 2023, at 11:00am.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army in memory of Faye. https://www.salvationarmy.org/

Faye Koscielny’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, a testament to a life well-lived, marked by compassion, creativity, humour, and faith.  She will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Weltha Faye (Shoup) Koscielny, please visit our floral store.