April 13, 1917 – December 26, 2013
Gwendoline Ivy “Gwen” Smith passed away peacefully on December 26th, 2013 at Comox Valley Seniors Village. Gwen was born in Rugely, Staffordshire, England on April 13, 1917.
Gwen is predeceased by her husband William “Bill” Smith (Comox/2002), father Frederick Pearman (England/1945), Mother Elsie May Pearman (England/1983), sister Enid Stringer (England). She is survived by her sister Freda Clarke of Montrose, Victoria, Australia, nephew Robert “Bobby” Clarke and family of Australia, niece Lesley Senter and family of England.
Gwen belonged to the Federal Superannuates National Association (FSNA) and had a career as an Administrative Assistant for Federal Civil Service DND in Ottawa, ON.
In Gwen’s leisure time she enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She was known as Ivy to her family in England and Australia and as Gwendoline or Gwen to her friends and neighbours here. A quite private person, she loved nature and all creatures great and small. She liked to read her magazines and newspapers from England. The highlight of her day was a wee dram of a good Sherry with the evening meal.
Gwen and her husband Bill moved to their home on Stellar Court in Comox from Ottawa in 1993. From March 2009 until her passing, Gwen lived in both Assisted Living and Residential Care facilities at the Comox Valley Seniors Village on Headquarters Road in Courtenay.
To the neighbours on Stellar Court, Jan, Rick and Caroline Paradie, Veronika and Bill Phaneuf, Dr. Bradley Harris and the staff of Comox Medical Clinic; Nurse Ole and the nurses and staff of 1D Residential Care and other service providers at CVSV; Remedies and Neighbourhood Pharmacies. Thank you for the many acts of kindness, patience, care and compassion in helping Gwen overcome life’s challenges.
Flowers gratefully declined, if friends so wish donations in her memory to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation or to a Charity of your choice would be appreciated.
A Celebration of Gwen’s Life will be held on Thursday, January 9th, 2014 at 1:00PM at Comox Valley Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Centre, 1101 Ryan Rd., Courtenay, with a reception to follow.