Obituary of SANDWITH – Gloria Mae

August 1, 1949 – December 2, 2010 It is with deep sadness that the family of Gloria Mae (nee Devnich) Sandwith announces her passing on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at the age of 61 years, after a very courageous battle with cancer. Gloria was born in Assiniboia, SK and grew up in Lethbridge, AB as well as Lacombe, AB, where she attended Canadian Union College. In 1970, she graduated from Loma Linda University, California as a dental hygienist. Gloria worked in dental hygiene for twenty years in Huntington Beach, CA. In 1976, she gave birth to Marissa and, in 1978, had her youngest daughter Chelsea. Gloria spent most of her years in California raising her two beloved daughters as a loving, devoted and strong single mother. Gloria completed her Masters Degree in Psychology at Pepperdine University, CA, in 1989. She relocated with her two daughters to Calgary in 1990, where they lived happily amongst her extended Devnich family. In 1995, Gloria met David, the love of her life, whom she married in 1997. She was a very loving and devoted wife, a dedicated, amazing mother and doting grandmother. Gloria always thought of others and loved to organize family celebrations – family and friends meant everything to her. In addition to working as a well-respected dental hygienist until her retirement in 2009, Gloria was also a counseling Psychologist, her clients benefiting from her knowledge and passion as a therapist. She was a long-standing member of Women in Psychology Calgary. Gloria will forever be dearly missed by her devoted husband David; her precious daughters, Marissa (John) Cook and Chelsea (Matt) Davidson; Gloria’s grandson Luke (her “prince”); David’s daughter Christine (Eric) Wold; David’s grandson Caleb; her mother Viola Devnich; siblings, Merv Devnich, Sherry Snyder, Lyndon Devnich, Jerralyn Severtson and Kevin Devnich; as well as her many nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was predeceased by her father Leonard Devnich and brother Del Devnich. Sadly, Gloria passed away before she could greet the births of two grandchildren from Chelsea and Christine, due this month. All who knew Gloria will miss her tremendously. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Gloria’s life at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Forward expressions of sympathy through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Heartfelt gratitude is due to the doctors, nurses and staff of Tom Baker Cancer Centre’s Unit 47, whose dedicated skill and care brought comfort in Gloria’s final weeks. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222. Arrangements in care of McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.