Tonya Lee McFarlane, resident of Grande Prairie, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the QEII Hospital at the age 44 years.

Tonya was born August 2, 1973 in Millbrook, ON. She could not wait to come into this world. She was so determined (as was her nature) to make an early entrance that she jumped out of her mother’s womb, bounced off her mother’s foot and would have kept going if she had not still been attached! That same determination led her to make an early entrance to everlasting life on August 1st. And no, it was not lost on her family that she could not even wait for her birthday. Tonya always had to be going somewhere or doing something all the time. This can only be viewed as her final protest to waiting around!

Some things you probably didn’t know about Tonya: No one knew that she loved flowers so much that she wanted to take a course in floral arranging and do it professionally. No one knew that she swam like a rock. And no one knew that she was a teacher; teaching us how to build bonfires too big, heel kick harder than any punch, make drinks too strong, and how not to ride a bicycle while smoking!

Some things you might have known about Tonya: Every stray animal was a new best friend. Tonya took fashion cues from no one, she loved blue jeans, white sneakers, and her big hair do’s; and if you let her, she would give you some fashion advice too.

Tonya had a lifelong love affair with soups, salads, pork chops ‘n gravy and kickass grilled cheese sandwiches. Every time she saw you, she would try to feed you, whether you were hungry or not.

She kept a freakishly clean house. (Who likes to clean that much?) Tonya also loved the outdoors and she didn’t care if it was a motorhome, camper, tent or even just the back yard, somehow she found the “adventure” in every trip! The more minimal, the more “adventure”!

Above all, Tonya was a loyal friend, kind to animals of ALL persuasions, had a great sense of humor, was a loving and proud Mother and Grandmother, and a gentle, caring soul.

Tonya will be sadly missed by her partner Raymond; mom Joanne; brothers James (Kim and Taylor), and Lenny (Angie, Jett and Ava); daughter Jessy; grandchildren Cashton and Cobin; uncles John (Darlene), James (Dorthy), Paul (Norma) and Bill; as well as numerous cousins.

She was predeceased by her father Ray McFarlane and step-father Kenny Rice.

There will be no viewing as we will not honor her request that we sit her in a chair with a lit cigarette and a glass of Jack Daniels in her hand so that she may confuse visitors. Instead, Tonya will be cremated and, as per her request, there will be no service as she hated formal proceedings! A celebration of her life will be held with friends and family at a later date as she loved a great party!

• Date : 2018-08-01
• Location : Grande Prairie

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