The family of Gwen Edwards would like to announce the death of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother in Winfield at the wonderful age of 97. She is lovingly remembered by her son Clifford (Gale), her daughter Beverley (Don Sawastzky), grandchildren Carolyn (Steve) Torhjelm, Bryan Cragg, Geoffery Sawatzky, Monica Edwards, Rolf Edwards, step-grandchildren Janet (Chris) Beaudin, David (Natalie) Sawatzky, Gordon (Lee) Sawatzky, Derek (Shawndel) Arneson and Christopher (Jodie) Arneson and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by beloved husband Gordon, their son Trevor and infant grandsons Gordon and Allan.
Gwen was born on the family farm at Lakeview, Alberta. She attended high school in Medicine Hat and went to Normal School in Edmonton. She enthusiastically began her teaching career near Millet, where she met her future husband, later teaching at Clover Bar near Edmonton. In 1937 she married Gordon Edwards and they started their married life in Islay, Alberta where they established their drugstore. In 1941 they moved their business to Mayerthorpe where they raised their family and were very active in the community. In 1964 they retired and moved to Edmonton and then to Oyama, BC in 1970.
For the last 40 years Lake Country has been Gwen’s home. She actively involved herself in the church and the community. She loved to travel, paint, garden and to learn. Her friends were legion and her enthusiasm for them and life infectious. She loved her family and delighted in each of the generations of children that followed her. We will all miss her greatly.
We are thankful for and wish to acknowledge the wonderful care Mom received from Dr. Penny and the Interior Health home care team. A very special thank you also to Heather Cote for her compassionate and gentle care of our Mom over these last nine months.
A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held at St. Francis Anglican Church in Winfield on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Aids Network of Kelowna, The Heart and Stroke Fund, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mem.com.