Obituary of Gwendoline Olivia WHEATLEY

July 12, 1917 – April 26, 2012 We are very sad to announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and friend at Calgary’s Bow View Nursing Home. Gwen was born in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan and moved with her family to Minnedosa, Manitoba and then Toronto, where she finished her schooling and became a Registered Nurse at the Toronto General Hospital. She started her career in the surgery area at the Toronto General Hospital. She went to Wells, BC in 1948 to assist her sister, Evelyn, where she met her husband Ken, who was a recently-returned Canadian Fighter pilot and Japanese POW. They were married in March of 1949 and in December of the same year had their only child, Dennis. Gwen and Ken moved to Banff to assist his father and mother and subsequently moved to Calgary. Gwen was able to combine two of her greatest loves of children and nursing when she practiced nursing at the Children’s Hospital as Head Nurse in the surgery ward. After retiring, Ken and Gwen moved to Kelowna and they travelled extensively through Europe, north Africa, and the United States. After Ken’s passing, Gwen returned to Calgary, where she spent many enjoyable years with family and friends. Gwen will be lovingly remembered by her son Dennis (Sylvia), her granddaughter Nicole (Kevin) Nielsen, her grandson Derek (Heather) and four great grandchildren. She will also be remembered fondly by many nieces and nephews. Gwen was predeceased by her husband Kenneth in 1989, her father Martin in 1963, her mother Christina in 1988 (nee Gunnarson), sisters Joyce Bays, Edith McMahon, Evelyn Meek and her brother Ted. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.), on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Gwen Wheatley, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.