Obituary of Gwen Marie Yates

September 6, 1929 - Comox, British Columbia

October 23, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Gwen Yates, (nee Trimble - family of origin; nee Tufts - first marriage), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023, at the age of 94 years.

Gwen was born in Comox, B.C. and spent most of her growing years in Alberta, eventually landing in the Turner Valley district, where she met and married her first husband Dale Tufts. They settled in Calgary and raised daughter Marina and sons, Curt, Robin and Tim. Gwen was a stay-at-home mom for the early years, but returned to the work force as the family grew, working in book-keeping over the years at Canada Packers, the Hudsons Bay, and Gulf Canada. 

When the kids were grown and the nest was emptying, Gwen followed suit, as she and Dale ended their marriage and she began a new phase of life. This second chapter eventually expanded to include a relationship with Donald Yates (and his adult children Donald, Sandra, Ruth, and Mandy) and they were married in 1981. From their home base in Calgary, they wrapped up their working lives and slipped into a long and full retirement life. They purchased a winter home in St. Petersburg, Florida and spent many happy hours planning and fulfilling their drives to and from that destination every year, seeing most of the United States and Canada while doing so.  The route to or from was varied each trip! In addition, they enjoyed numerous other trips around Australia, Britain, Europe, and the United States. In approximately 2008 Gwen and Don moved to AgeCare Midnapore, Gwen in the Estates Independent Living and Don in Long Term Care.  After Don’s death in 2009, Gwen continued living at AgeCare and eventually moved to Long Term Care there herself. Although her health, hearing and mobility were challenging for her these last few years, whenever anyone asked how she was doing, she consistently reported with a twinkle in her eye that she was “100%!”. 

She is survived by sister Phyllis, children, Marina (Koos), Curtis (Nel), Robin (Pat), Tim (Leslie), Donald (Diana), Sandra, Ruth (Bill) and Mandy (Earl); multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Gwen was predeceased by her parents Clarence and Pearl Trimble, husband Donald Yates, first husband Dale Tufts, siblings, Vida, Leonard, Norman, Mae, Olive, Nita, Andrew and June; and grandchildren, Wayne, Daniel and Michael.

The family of Gwen would like to express their sincere heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of AgeCare Midnapore for their excellent care of Gwen during her many years of residence and, in particular, to Dolly and Rollyn.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gwen’s family here.

In living memory of Gwen Yates, 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.