Obituary of Gwendalen Davies

DAVIES: Gwendalen "Gwen" Mary Davies passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at the age of 95 years. Born on June 13, 1911 to Phoebe (Weaver) and Richard Sweet on their homestead in the Greenwood District, Gwen was the eldest of six children and the daughter of a Barr Colonist. Her early years typified the life of a pioneer. After completing school her life evolved around the family and the farm where she took an active role in all farm activities. Being a self professed "tom-boy", she delighted in being able to drive a four horse team on a binder and raise turkeys, two among other "men’s work" - tasks she much preferred to the myriad of household chores and skills befitting a lady that were expected of her as a girl. A lover of nature and the out-of-doors, Gwen, throughout her life, enjoyed drives in the country to participate in the changing of the seasons which was a typical family outing during her youth. She married George Henry Davies on Nov.21, 1934 and they began married life on the Davies farm in the Durness district. Other than for four years, Gwen lived on the Davies farm until moving to the Islay Care Center, Islay in March 2006. Raising her family and farming were her life, which she did along side George until his untimely death in 1962. Then, carrying on without "fuss or palaver" in her pragmatic way, working with her sons, David and Richie, Gwen continued to participate in farm activities and did her share to establish VeeTee Feeders in 1972. Once that major project was underway and her work there mostly done, she immersed herself in her flower garden, church and bible study, travel and other adventures, often initiated by her, with her many friends. She loved to dance and she loved to laugh. Her sense of humour and zest for living continued to inspire all who knew her right up until she could no longer smile - only a few days before she died. She made her long and painful six week ordeal easier for her children who sat with her as she saw the funny side of many trials and welcomed each visitor with her always to be remembered smile. A tomboy, maybe, but always a lady. Gwen was quietly proud of her children whom she declared had "amounted to a hill of beans" and she embraced her daughters and sons-in-law with open arms just like they were her own. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joy of her life. The extended family was also of great importance – the one she married into as much as her own. She was Auntie Gwen to many, including cousins all down the line. "Live to be missed" was her mother’s motto and was hers. Gwen lived to be missed. And she will be missed as her family celebrate and remember the legacy she left to them and the life she lived with grace, courage and unconditional love. They take comfort in knowing she was truly "a good and faithful servant." Gwen is survived by her five children and their spouses: Donna and Gordon Rawlake (Saskatoon), Cecile and Charles McCleary (Lethbridge), David and Diane Davies (Lloydminster), Richie and Linda Davies (Lloydminster) and Karen and Darrell Teeling (Edmonton). Ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren: David McCleary and Wendy Ryan and her children Matthew and Bruce Judd (Pincher Creek); Raymond and Andrea McCleary (Toronto); Michelle (Rawlake) and Greg Wise and children Tara, Ellen and Gregory (Henderson, Nevada); Ted and Jodi Davies and children John and Will (Lloydminster); Michael and Marla Teeling and children Katie and Sammy (Edmonton); Don and Erin Davies (Lloydminster) Jennifer (Davies) and Trevor Leighton and daughter Sarah (Lloydminster); Adam Teeling (Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia); Janet Davies and her finance Travis Tuchscherer (Lloydminster) and Brian Davies (Lloydminster). One sister: Betty Chalmers (Edmonton). Three sisters-in-law: Hilda Sweet (Ear Falls, Ontario); Dorothy (Davies) Freund (Winnipeg); Willa Davies (Victoria). Three brothers-in-law: Laurence Stevens and his wife Agnes (Lloydminster), Bill Davies and his wife Hilda (Edmonton); Bernie Scheuerman (High River) and her cousin and girlhood friend Zena (Weaver) Hodgson (Edmonton), as well as many other relatives and friends. Gwen was predeceased by her husband George; her sister Belle Stevens; her brothers: Cecil and his wife Marion, George and his wife Margaret and Jim; her in-laws: Keith Chalmers, Jack Davies, Margaret (Davies) and her husband George McQueen, Anne (Davies) Scheuerman and Wilf Freund. The funeral service for Gwen was conducted from St. John's Anglican Church, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend David Turvey officiating. The eulogy was given by Richie Davies. Scripture readings were Psalm 91 by Charles McCleary and John 14:1-6 by Diane Davies. Hymns sung were "In The Garden," "On Eagle's Wings," and "Lord of The Dance," accompanied on the organ by Pat Skinner. The St. John's Anglican Church Choir was in attendance. Honorary pallbearers were all those who shared in Gwen’s life. Active pallbearers were her Grandchildren. Interment followed in the St. Luke’s Northminster Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Tom Cavanagh and the 3rd floor nursing and support staff of the Lloydminster Hospital for their expertise, professionalism, kindness and care given to their mother. They would also like to thank all those who visited her, brought flowers and food, supported them during the time of their mother’s illness and came to pay their respects. Thank you also to Reverend Turvey, Pat Skinner and the choir for their contribution to the service and to St. John’s Anglican Church Women and the Durness Community Association for providing the reception refreshments. Much appreciation goes to McCaw’s Funeral Directors for their attention to detail and consideration of the family. Donations in memory of Gwen may be made to the Islay Care Auxiliary, St. John's Anglican Church or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.