Obituary of Gwendolyn Ida Gillespie

GILLESPIE, Gwendolyn Ida On Thursday, February 6, 2020, Gwen Gillespie passed away peacefully at Foothills Hospital. Born December 15, 1927 in Dodsland SK, Gwen was six when the family moved to Penticton, BC. Gwen acquired an early love for music, learning piano from age six, violin from age nine and choral throughout. She moved to Calgary to take piano and violin at Mount Royal College and while there met Orval. Gwen and Orval married on January 5, 1949 and remained in Calgary where they raised their seven children. Gwen’s activities while bringing up children included Knox United Church choir and United Church Women (UCW). She bowled at Fairview Lanes from the time the youngest was a preschooler, was an avid bridge player, and became a regular in the audience at the string sections of the Kiwanis Music Festival. At home one could often find Gwen with a book or crossword puzzle in her hands. After Orval retired, they began to square dance, joined the Second Sixties Hiking Club, sang with Calgary Music Makers, and enjoyed travelling—to Cambridge Bay, Australia, Alaska, the Maritimes, and more. Gwen also dusted off her violin and joined the University of Calgary Orchestra. Then she discovered fiddling with Prairie Mountain Fiddlers, the Tuesday Jam Group, and Peter and Pals. She was proudest of her 70+ years as a member of Knox United Church choir. When she retired from the choir last spring, she kept on with the fiddling, and always enjoyed visits from her ever-growing family. Gwen is survived by her brother, Jack Rorke, her children Alison (Russ), Stephen (Elaine), Evelyn (Bruce), John (Pat), Gordon, Karen (Gene), and Brian. She had 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Thank you to the staff at Foothills Hospital for the kindness and compassion shown to Gwen and the family. A Memorial Service will take place at Knox United Church, 506 4th St. S.W., at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 . Reception to follow at the church. Parking at the Impark lot across 4th Street from the church is $5/day on Saturday. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Knox Foundation - kxcalgary.com/knox-foundation.