Gayle Elaine Pard (nee Hickox)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, Gayle Elaine Pard (nee Hickox) on September 21st, 2025, dying with a broken heart 14 days after losing her beloved grandson, Crispin.

Gayle was born on October 21st, 1950, to Hilton Dodge and Elaine Hickox. She was the oldest of four children and entertained everyone with her stories of growing up on the shores of eastern Florida. She was known and admired for her authentic southern potato salad. No one makes it like she did.

Gayle was a free spirit, who embraced the life of the 1960’s. She became known by her hippy name Fantasy, as she was always talking about her dreams for her future. Little did she know that she would end up immigrating to Canada with her first husband, going from a Sunshine girl to a Prairie Girl and becoming a mother of four children.

Gayle was a founding member of the Edmonton WIN House and worked with the Elizabeth Frye Society. She loved being of service and working with women in need. Gayle was a very playful person and was able to turn that into a career working with children. She owned St. Justin’s After school care in the West end, where she was very loved by the children and families. She continued her personal support work in various other capacities throughout her lifetime.

Gayle will be remembered for her sense of humor, practical jokes, and creativity. She loved to talk and was an exceptional storyteller, often regaling for hours friends and family with tales of her lifetime experiences. She was fascinated by world religion and was fortunate enough to feel a connection to the Baptist, Jewish, Catholic, Mormon and Indigenous faiths. She was able to travel to Jerusalem, where she got to see the birthplace of many religions, the Western Wall and the Holy Church of the Sepulchre. She loved the beach, gardening, animals and especially her dog Prince.

She gave unconditional love to those around her, and all her friends were made to feel a part of her family.

She is survived by her brothers Billy Hickox, Ronnie Hickox, and sister Glenda Hickox; 4 children: Lisa Haymond (Brian Kramps), Katrina Haymond (Jody Anderson), Amanda Malul, James Connor (Annie Roberts); her 10 grandchildren, Briage Lock, Jazzmine Lemal, Kyrin Kramps, Caitlin Anderson, Shmuel, Chaya, Sarah, Shmaya, Amalia and Elisha Malul, 2 great grandchildren Quin and Zavian Lock; as well as too many family and friends to list.

Gayle was predeceased by her parents, Hilton Dodge Hickox and stepmother Helen, Elaine Stewart and stepfather Herb, older brothers Michael (who died as an infant) and Kenneth Hickox as well as her grandson Crispin David Anderson and granddaughter Lindsay Connor. Gayle was also predeceased by the love of her life, Faron Pard.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the Stollery Children’s Hospital or WIN House