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Faylis Hasti Ward

The Aspen Times
Aspen, CO Colorado
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Longtime active community resident of Aspen, Faylis Hasti Ward, passed away on Jan. 25, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, with her family by her side. Fay’s death was the result of a stroke suffered while skiing with Jim, her beloved husband of 54 years, and her second daughter, Natalie, two days earlier. Fittingly, she was skiing on a brilliant, bluebird powder day at West Buttermilk.

Fay was born on March 11, 1935 in the traditional Finnish community of Cromwell, Minn., the eldest of four children. Her family moved to Osseo, Minn., when Fay was in the second grade, where she met Jim for the first time. After high school, Fay enrolled at the University of Minnesota and became a cheerleader. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreational leadership in May 1957, and then married Jim on Dec., 29, 1957.

Fay and Jim fell in love with Aspen in 1958 when they skied there in March, but it wasn’t until 1964 that they settled there. Fay immediately went to work at Aspen Community Church as a volunteer for several activities, and she continued her volunteer service until she died. Many Aspenites will long remember Fay and Jim lending a helping hand and cheering racers at the top of the tallest climb, ringing the largest cowbell. She will also be remembered for her 15-year career at Pitkin County Senior Services.



Fay was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Siiri Hasti, and her granddaughter, Kiera Tongish. She is survived by her husband Jim; children Kimberly, Natalie and Casey; her brother, Barry Hasti; sisters Jane Donahue and Karen Hamblet; grandchildren Caitlin Tongish and Spencer Ward, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Aspen Chapel at 5:30 p.m. There will be a reception following the service.




Donations can be made in her name to Challenge Aspen or The Kelly Brush Foundation, who donated Fay her sit-ski. Web locations for donation: challengeaspen.org and kellybrushfoundation.org.

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