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FRANCES GWENDOLINE (GWEN) PARKER
Born: Feb 09, 1927
Date of Passing: Mar 08, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryFRANCES GWENDOLINE (GWEN) PARKER
Gwen Parker passed away peacefully at Grace Hospice in Winnipeg on March 8, 2024, in her 98th year.
Gwen is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Denise Fraser (Keith), Joanne Parker, her son Scott Parker (Denise); her son-in-law Philip Wyatt; her grandchildren, Kristy Parker (Saad), Jason Parker (Lehanne), Brent Parker (Emily), Graeme Fraser (Norah), Geoffrey Wyatt (Renee) and Kathryn Wyatt (Reece); and her great-grandchildren, Abbie, Lola, Calix, Nayel, Holly, Penny, Eloise and Hannah.
Gwen was predeceased by her husband Lorne Parker, daughter Sharon Parker, grandson Matthew Fraser, nephew Michael Parker, as well as her sister Muriel Mankey and husband Gideon, her twin brother Hartley Wilson and her brother Arthur Wilson, and her sisters-in-law, Margaret and Helen Wilson. She is survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Brian and Anne Parker and many nephews and nieces.
Gwen was born at the farm near Deloraine, Manitoba to Tom and Nellie Wilson. She received her early education at a one-room school until Grade 8. She completed Grade 9 by correspondence before moving to Winnipeg to attend Kelvin High School for Grades 10 - 12. There she met Lorne, her lifelong partner of 41 years. In 1948, Gwen graduated from the University of Manitoba from the faculty of Home Economics. She spent the following year in Southern Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula as a Home Economics extension worker, returning to Manitoba in 1949 to marry Lorne. They raised their family of four on the fifth generation Wilpark Farm at Union Point south of Ste Agathe. The river lots were homesteaded by Lorne’s maternal grandparents in the 1880s.
As a strong, proud prairie woman, Gwen worked and supported all farm and various community ventures. She was an Avonlea United Church member, Sunday School teacher, 4-H leader, and a long time Domain Women’s Institute member. From 1966 to 1992, she served as Executive Secretary of the Manitoba Women’s Institute. Her leadership skills and advocacy work with rural women is well known. As Executive Secretary, she travelled extensively throughout Manitoba, Canada and Internationally. Gwen and Lorne led many Manitoba Farm Vacation groups and Canadian International agricultural tours to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Israel.
Gwen recently told her family she was grateful for a life well lived. Her deep faith has sustained her always. A Service of Remembrance will be held in the chapel at Thomson “In The Park”, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., on April 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A private family burial will follow at Avonlea Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank Jennet Barbosa for her daily compassionate care. We also thank the Hospice Care team for their expertise and support as well as family physician Dr. Ian Kasloff.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the Grace Hospice (gracehospitalfoundation.ca), the Manitoba Women’s Institute (mbwi.ca), the Avonlea United Church Memorial fund or to a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 16, 2024, Mar 16, 2024
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Gwen is one of the strong, intelligent and thoughtful woman that one can only be lucky to have crossed your path in life. Not only was she a wonderful wife, farm partner, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, her passion for her career is inspirational. I worked with Gwen when she was Excutive Director of Manitoba Women's Institute and as life would have it, we are members of the same local, Domain Women's Institute. I also knew Gwen through her niece Cathy Vanstone and my sincerest sympathies go to my friend Cathy as well as all the family members. - Posted by: Debora Durnin-Richards (colleague and friend) on: Apr 19, 2024
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Mom and I would like to sent our sincere condolences to all the family. Our prayers are with you all during this time of grief. - Posted by: Leonie Durocher and Maryanne Klasz (relative through marriage) on: Apr 16, 2024
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Have so many great memories of Lorne, Gwen and family over the many years of our association with Wilpark Farms Ltd. Gwen certainly did have a “life well lived”. - Posted by: Bruce & Gail Lee (Friends) on: Mar 16, 2024
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For near 70 years our family has been neighbors of the Parkers along the Red River at Union Point, south of Winnipeg. As matriarch of the Parker family Gwen and husband, Lorne, welcomed my mom, Frances, and dad, Richard as neighbours. From snowstorms, to floods, to 'borrowing' a cup of sugar, to a check-up visit, Gwen and Lorne constantly exhibited a standard of good-neighbor that was amazing. While, as can be seen from her obituary, Gwen had tough losses to deal with they didn't define her life. She was a happy person, in constant smile mode, whose face would light up whenever she met anyone, --- especially a grandchild or great-grandchild! Around a dinner table, or with a group on the veranda, she wasn't shy about participating but that participating was generally to ask a question as she was always interested in others' experiences and how they saw things. Our family is richer, the better for having known Gwen and blessed by her kindness and generosity. - Posted by: Sheldon & Penny Bowles (Family Friends ) on: Mar 16, 2024
Thomson In the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery
1291 McGillivary Blvd. (Map)
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