August 22, 1945 ~ August 31, 2025
It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Gail on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 at the Hardisty Care Home in Edmonton, Alberta, with my dad Dave by her side. Gail was born on August 22, 1945 to Frank & Emma Blatchford in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Gail & Dave resided in Thunder Bay, Ontario on Frontenac Bay with their only daughter. When Dow Chemical offered Dave a new job as Millwright in Fort Saskatchewan, AB. He accepted and brought the family down over a month later. Where they got a house on 98th Avenue, in Pineview. While there, she liked a variety of activities such as: growing and planting tons of vegetables plus beautiful huge orange and yellow Mum’s in the front yard. They were so large, that us kids climbed in behind them with the buzzing bees. To play a game of Hide And Seek.
Gail enjoyed drawing, doodling large marine pictures, playing Mega Bug on the old computer/tv, taking pottery classes, puzzles, going biking, and reading romance novels. She loved travelling on the road with us, taking long car rides to visit Grandma & Grandpa in Dauphin, Manitoba and all her Family in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Gail obtained a Driver’s License and overcame her bad nerves to be “Mum’s Taxi Service”. She would pick me up from School in Sherwood Park and drive back home again. She came and visited me when I moved to Victoria, BC and again when I moved to Vancouver years later. My Dad wanted to come and visit after COVID to maybe possibly move here. However both were transferred to separate care homes and would not come together again until the end of January this year. Where they were Roommates finally! She passed away with laboured breathing and Dad was by her side at the time.
She was predeceased by her parents, Frank & Emma Blatchford; brothers, Kenny and Larry; sister, Maxine; and sister-in-law, Theresa.
Gail is survived by her husband, Dave Tycholaz; only daughter, Brandi (Brenda) Tycholaz in Vancouver, BC; brothers, Ray (Mary) and Billy (Terry); sisters, Irene, Edith (Roy), Betty (Angus), Frances (John), Faye, Karen, Patsy and Bonnie.
At Gail’s request, there will be no funeral service. Next year Brandi would like to get relatives together for a dinner or cake/coffee to celebrate Gail’s life.
To remember Mum and in lieu of flowers, donations in Gail’s name can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada and/or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Rest In Peace Mum
I will miss our phone calls.