Blakely retires after lengthy, productive career with FCSS

The Stettler and District Family and Community Support Services honoured their administrator, Faye Blakely, on her upcoming retirement with a come-and-go social at the Stettler office Monday afternoon.

Blakely had a 27-year career with the local FCSS, including 17 years as administrator.

She recalled many changes that occurred during those years, going from a crowded trailer that once housed the FCSS office to the more spacious office with expanded services that serves the community from its main street location today.

Throughout the afternoon, representatives from the town and county, the various agencies connected to FCSS, board members and former colleagues stopped by to offer Blakely best wishes in her retirement.

FCSS board chairman Malcolm Fischer, along with Theresa Tempest, the director of the Stettler FCSS, presented Blakely with a gold watch on behalf of the board in recognition of her many years of service. Fischer praised Blakely for her dedication to FCSS and her tireless energy.

“It’s been great working with Faye,” Tempest said. “Her mentorship has been awesome, which has led to successful succession planning.”

During Blakely’s time as administrator, the local FCSS has seen growth in programs and services, although the organization wasn’t without its challenges.

“Survival in a non-profit industry” Blakely said in singling out a key achievement. “It’s not something you do alone. It takes co-operation, collaboration and pooling of resources, along with aggressively seeking government contracts.”

Although retiring, the energetic Blakely is far from slowing down, keeping active with curling, skiing and golf.

She and her husband of 51 years, Chuck Blakely, also have a farm, other businesses and a love of travel. They plan to leave next month for Desert Hot Springs, Calif., where they hope to enjoy a few months in the sun.

The Blakelys have three children and four grandchildren who they might now see more frequently.