Obituary of Beverly "Gwenne" McIVOR (nee Woods)

May 28, 1944 – Eston, Saskatchewan
December 28, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Gwenne McIvor, beloved wife of Garry Allen McIvor, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the age of 76 years.

She was born on May 28, 1944 in Eston, SK and lived on the farm near Isham until she was eighteen. Gwenne walked to a one-room schoolhouse (half a mile from the farm) until she was in grade eight. Isham School is still standing and has been converted into a farm shop. She rode a school bus (a 1957 Volkswagen van) to Eston for grades nine to twelve. When she was young she helped out on the farm and drove the grain truck (barely able to reach the clutch or see over the dash).  Gwenne dated Garry all through high school and they were married on November 9, 1963. After finishing her schooling at Robertson Business School they moved to Calgary. 

Gwenne was very talented, an exceptional musician, she played clarinet in the school band and taught piano at Isham. She later encouraged her sons to play music, which they did. Gwenne also danced and did gymnastics, which proved useful as a high school cheerleader. She won the district Bryant Oratory award for her public speaking at Elrose.

Gwenne loved to cook and made amazing meals out of leftovers. She just had to open her fridge and she always had something incredible to share with her family and friends. Gwenne also loved to play cards, whether it was bridge with her friends every week in the community of Fairview or in the motorhome with friends camping and travelling. She and Garry loved to travel south in their motorhome and spent many winters in Yuma and Palm Springs.

Gwenne spent a lot of time volunteering for the Fairview community. She looked after bingos and various events in order to help build the community centre that is there today. Later she devoted all of her time to starting a company with her family, watching over the business and helping make it successful.

Gwenne will be remembered for her wonderful heart, the way she always put others first, and the way she took care of her family, ensuring they were never without.  We will all miss her dearly and keep her in our hearts forever.

Besides Garry, her loving husband of fifty-seven years, Gwenne is survived by her son Corey Brent McIvor (Val) of Okotoks, and son Craig Allen McIvor (Sandy) of Calgary. She was Nana to five grandchildren, Colin (Jessica), Amanda, Kaylei, Connor and Jada. She is also survived by her brother Robert William Woods (Cindy) of Eston, SK, three nephews, three nieces and many extended family and friends.

Gwenne was predeceased by her parents Betha (1912-2001) and Allyn Woods (1912-1982), sister Darlene Joan Maguire (1939-2017) of Kelowna and her nephew Devon Sesula (1985-2016) of Eston, SK.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Gwenne’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Gwenne McIvor, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.