JUICY McKAY
1935 – 2025
Gaudiosa “Juicy” Pajigal (Galbo) McKay passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 90.
Born in 1935 in Bohol Province, Philippines, to Celestino Galbo and Leoncia Pajigal, Juicy lived a life defined by courage, humour, and adventure. She began her career as a seamstress and hairdresser before completing her studies in midwifery in Manila. Motivated by her adventurous spirit and determination for a better life, Juicy immigrated to Canada in 1967, settling in Oyen, Alberta, where she worked at the Oyen Big Country Hospital.
Juicy quickly became an integral part of the Oyen community while raising her two children, Erol and Shauna, with her second husband, Ian. She retired from Big Country Hospital in 1981 after the closure of the obstetrics department—a bittersweet moment after delivering a generation of babies, a source of pride she carried throughout her life.
Never one to sit still for long, Juicy and Ian opened a convenience store in 1989, complete with a small arcade. For nearly two decades, this store became a gathering place for local teens, and Juicy became more than a shop owner—she was a confidant and caring adult figure to many until the store closed in 2007.
In her later years, Juicy embraced retirement with the same zest for life that defined her earlier years. She traveled, gardened, and remained fiercely competitive in games and in her curling fandom. In 2012, she and Ian moved into the Oyen Lodge, where Juicy continued to march to the beat of her own drum. Her love for animals and her spirited nature never faded.
Juicy is survived by her daughter Shauna (Robin) Bownes, her son Erol (Lori) McKay, and her beloved grandchildren Jordan, Kieran, Deghlan, Fionn, and Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband Ian.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Royal Canadian Legion #208, Box 184, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0.
Funeral arrangements are in care of MacLean's Funeral Home, Oyen, Alberta.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Oyen Legion. To leave a message of condolence, please visit ofsmacleans.com.