March 7th, 1920 ~ April 7, 2017
Our Mum and Grandma passed away peacefully on April 7th, 2017 at the age of 97 years, in Sidney, British Columbia. Gwen lived a long and enjoyable life. She is survived by her daughter Christina (Stephen) and son Richard; Grandchildren Shawn, Christy and Dana, and precious Great Granddaughter Maggie; Nephews Allan and David Morgan and nieces Shirley Wing and Betty Miles. Gwen was predeceased by her loving husband Bill, with whom she shared her life for 44 years.
Gwen was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. and was the daughter of a blacksmith, Johnny Walker and his wife Mary. She was predeceased by her older sisters, Anne Morgan and Helen Miles and her younger brother, Jack Walker.
Gwen loved to travel and enjoyed many lovely holidays with her husband Bill, and later with family and various good friends. She was known for her beautiful smile, her quiet, gracious and unassuming nature, her love of gardening, her genuine personality and her down to earth wisdom. She also had an outrageous sense of humour and enjoyed a good joke! She was the “Wind beneath the Wings” of her ambitious husband Bill during his political career and in the building of the Crest Hotel with their partners, in 1961. Mom was a caring, dedicated mother to her two children. She loved her Grandchildren deeply and was extremely proud of each of them.
The family wishes to thank her wonderful companion, Marjan Polderman, our dear friend, Mary McGovern, the amazing team at The Peninsula, and the loving care she received at Sidney All Care Residence.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Prince Rupert Foundation, the 1st Presbyterian Church in Prince Rupert, the Epilepsy Society of B.C. or the Women’s Transition House of Victoria.
A celebration of Gwen’s long life will be held at the Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on Thursday, May 11th, 2017 at 1:30 pm.