GERMAINE (GERRY) GAVIN

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GERMAINE (GERRY) GAVIN It is with joy and sadness that we celebrate the life and passing of Alma Germaine (Gerry) Annette Gavin (nee Pollard). Mom was born December 23, 1926 and left us May 13, 2013. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715
Publish Date: May 16, 2013

GERMAINE (GERRY) GAVIN It is with joy and sadness that we celebrate the life and passing of Alma Germaine (Gerry) Annette Gavin (nee Pollard). Mom was born December 23, 1926 and left us May 13, 2013. She was predeceased by her father Walter S. Pollard, mother Yvonne Pollard (nee Apel), husband Edmund Laurence Gavin, son Peter Christopher Mark Gavin, and special son Andrew Rogulski. She is survived by sons Michael Stephen, Kevin Eric, daughter Jacqueline Michelle, grandsons Shawnessey Riley, Darren Brendan, Patrick Mark, Andrew Edmund, granddaughters Meeghan Kori, Ashley Hope, Dana Leah, Brianna Michelle, and seven great-grandchildren. Mom was born in New Toronto (North York) and moved as a child to Tillsonburgh where she received her elementary and high school education. She contracted meningitis her first month in school and officially entered Grade 1 at eight years of age. She was an excellent student and completed Grade 13 at 17 years. During this time the war broke out, and since her father was too old to join up, her mother, a nurse entered the navy. Yvonne was stationed at Halifax, NS for the six years of the war. Her father, whose offices were in three towns, travelled a great deal. He arranged room and board so she could continue her schooling, whereupon she would promptly move back to their 11 bedroom house and live on her own. This fierce independence and determination were characteristics she exhibited her entire life. She became a Lab Technician after graduation and continued in that field until she married Ed, May 7, 1949. They had three sons and a daughter. She had no difficulty remonstrating family members for the error of their decisions or attitudes, but she allowed no one outside the family to criticize any loved one. She was proud of all her family members and no one more than her husband Ed. When she dared him to take the MENSA exams and his success was told to anyone who would listen. This same pride and affection held true for all in our family. No matter how large or small our accomplishment, mom would regale others with our feats. Although Mom had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh, she could not tell a joke. She either forgot the punch line or some key element in the preamble. Yet peels of laughter could be heard whenever she weaved a tale about some mishap in her life, like trying to explain to MPIC how she had a head on collision with the car that was following her. Mom had many friends and was thankful for them. Some accompanied her on the many tours and cruises that took her to many lands. Mom could sing, dance and play the piano and often appeared in halls and theatres in her youth. She believed in giving back to her community and was a volunteer with the Gold Wings, Dalnevart Museum, Legion Ladies Auxiliary and Canadian Consumers Association. In the last few years, Mom had not been well, and was fortunate enough to be helped by her great friend Happy, her son Kevin and daughter Jacqueline. She also enjoyed the support and visits from Roger, Pauline and Barb. Pax vobiscym et cum spiritu tuo, Mom. A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, with interment to follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715
Publish Date: May 15, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2013