Anne A. Gamble passed away peacefully on April 21, 2012 in Victoria, B.C. She was the first daughter born to Rev. Horace and Jean Kerley in Morse, Saskatchewan on July 18, 1915. Anne is survived by 3 caring sons, Gordon (Joan) of Edmonton, Donald (Betty) of Parksville, Douglas (Gail) of Calgary; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. Ford, her beloved husband of 52 years, preceded her in 1992. Ford and Anne owned and published The Advance weekly newspaper at Gull Lake Saskatchewan for many years. Anne’s life was devoted to music, playing in musicals, recitals and accompaniments. She earned A.T.C.M. and L.T.C.L. music degrees. Anne first came to Gull Lake at age 19 and taught piano for over 50 years with many of her students achieving top festival marks. She influenced and enriched the lives of many young people in her community as a number of her pupils became music teachers themselves. She was one of the original organizers of the Gull Lake Music Association. Anne and Ford moved to Saanich, B.C. in 1985. After Ford’s passing, Anne lived at The Kensington Senior Residence in Victoria for 13 years where she made many close friends. The past 7 years she resided at Mount St. Mary Hospital where she received excellent care from the dedicated staff. Anne is also survived by her sister, Betty McQuaid of Kelowna. Preceding her are brothers, Dr. Harry Kerley, Comdr. Alfred Kerley, Donald Kerley, and twin sisters Mildred Batstone and Winifred Warren.
A private family interment will take place at Hatley Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Anne’s Life will be held in McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne’s name may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
15 Responses
Dear Gord., Don, Doug and families
Since reading of Mrs. Gamble’s passing, I have read her obituary and looked at her picture many times waiting for enough time to write a note of condolence that would do justice to her for the impact that she had on the life of myself, my sisters Lorraine and Theresa (who also studied piano with her) and my mom and dad, Marshall and Cynthia. Mrs. Gamble taught piano for 50 years. I am now in my 41st year doing the same. Much of my music library came from her vast collection of sheet music. My own volumes have neatly pencilled in suggestions which I gaze at with fondness whenever I teach a Mozart sonata, a Bach prelude and fugue or a Chopin nocturne. I achieved my ARCT degree with Mrs. G. as my teacher and mentor. My lessons on Monday nights at 7 p.m. often interrupted dinner hour for Ford and Doug. I was always invited into the kitchen to sit and visit while Mrs. Gamble, after a full working day at the Advance, would freshen up for my upcoming lesson. Then we would get to work. It never ceased to amaze me that’ she could demonstrate my repertoire, picking it up and playing with wonderful fluency, musicality and sheer love of the music. I thought that all piano teachers could do this so she became my example. By the time I found out that this was not the case, I was well on my way to life long learning on the piano bench firstly for my own enjoyment and inner peace, secondly for my students, and thirdly to share my music with my family, colleagues and community. There has been many an occasion when dealing with a particular challenging student or problem that I have said to myself, ” I bet Mrs. Gamble would’ve dealt with this with more composure and dignity than I am managing”.
As for my family, my mom and dad were close friends with Anne and Ford. Don and Betty, Gord. and Joan and Doug. will remember many a dinner party of 20 people at our place or at the Gambles, usually on a Sunday, with a short drink before dinner, then a magnificent meal. Mrs. Hart and Mrs. McClaren were usually present as well as guests such as the Zubots, Smalls or Johnstons. Following the meal, the dads would “close their eyes for a bit” then more visiting and maybe some music or cards. Real connections made by people who cared about each other; jokes and laughter; really good times!
Mrs. Gamble and I touched base every Xmas, but when I didn’t hear from her last Xmas, I thought she may be ill. The obituary said that she passed peacefully. I hope that she heard the music of the angels as she did. From the bottom of my heart, I send my love and thanks for Mrs. Gamble, her presence in my life, and the everlasting gift of music which she left with me.
I am saddened by the passing of Anne as I was with Ford. They were very close to me ever since we used to play cops and robbery when we were very young. Please accept my condolences. I am sure that I speak for a whole bunch of older people who don’t have computors and don’t have an address to mail cards to you all.
I would like for us to see each other again as we aren’t getting any younger either. If I ever get to your city I will call and get together for a coffee or something.
Hope to talk to you soom
Fred
I read about the passing of Anne Gamble in the most recent Gull Lake Advance paper, and my memories immediately flew back to my teen years in Gull Lake. My mom, Millie Fritsch, worked with your mom and dad for many years, and thought very highly of them both. She enjoyed Ford’s sense of humour very much, and thought Anne to be an exceptional craftsperson with the wording of the articles in the paper. Mom really enjoyed working for them and often said as much.
I wrote, with my cousin, Karen Sather, a weekly column called Teen Tempo during my high school years so I have a connection to the paper as well. My closer connection to Mrs. Gamble, though, was through my good buddies, Phyllis McTaggart and Ronda Scott, who both took piano lessons from Mrs. Gamble, and was worshiped by both of them. Had we had a piano, I too would have taken lessons, but I found my musical “legs” through the school band, and glee club, and had many opportunities to participate in the Musicales that Mrs. Gamble was instrumental in organizing.
She was an elegant lady, who knew just the right thing to say and do at every turn. I admired her very much, even though I didn’t know her well. She was one of the pillars of Gull Lake society and was so much respected by everyone. I’m glad my life was touched by hers.
My sincere condolences,
Ellie (Fritsch) Rausch
Such a beautiful picture in the Gull Lake Advance of such a beautiful lady that we were priviledged to have known. Mom (Phyllis) has none of your addresses so has asked me to convey her condolences to you. She enjoyed their friendship very much and today at the bridge club bragged about getting the annual Christmas letter from Anne. As for Pat and myself we cannot thank her enough for opening her home and her heart and her love of music to us. Not only did she teach us to play and to love music but some very valuable life lessons as well. We were so fortunate to have had her in our lives. You must be so very proud of her. Thank you Mrs. Gamble!!
Anne was my piano teacher when I was a teen. I will never forget the baby grand that consumed most of the kitchen in her and Ford’s home in Gull Lake. Anne was a patient and gifted teacher. As a former Gull Laker, I know how much she contributed to the community with her talent and love of music. My sincere sympathy to your family.