Beloved wife of Laurence, mother of Wendy (Carl) and Iain (Marilyn); grandmother of Jessica and Madeline; great-grandmother of Franklin, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2012 in Victoria after a short illness. Gwen was born in Bussum, the Netherlands and came to Canada at the age of 21 after WW II. She was educated as a painter in Amsterdam and Ottawa where she was a student of Henri Masson. Her artwork captured the family’s travels during her husband’s career as a Canadian diplomat, first in Moscow, then Belgrade, a long posting in Rome, then Tokyo and finally Bonn, Germany. Whatever the venue, she and Laurie enthusiastically embraced the culture and character of the place while recreating their home. Their home was a constant, a place of warmth, comfort and respite for their family and friends, always wonderfully unique and eclectic. While visiting friends in Victoria after their retirement from the nation’s service, Gwen fell in love with the city – its beauty, its climate and its people. Within a short time, they had made their home here, the final and perfect stop in a fifty year itinerary that took them around the world. Gwen continued to paint and garden, combining her fondness of the local setting with her experiences of the many places where they lived and visited. Gwen’s grace and gentle but spicy wit carried us through smooth times and rough. She shepherded us with a deft sureness through the many adventures and exotic settings encountered in our lives together, all the while showing us how to embrace the new and extraordinary. Gwen had a calm dignity that reassured and inspired friends and family alike. She was a quiet force, an elegant presence, a truly wonderful, loving and wise person. We will miss her so much.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC SPCA or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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Carol and Ross Macdonald
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Pamela Dear Wendy, Iain and family, My brother Chris passed on a copy of your mum’s obituary that my parents found in the local paper. Please accept my deepest condolences. The obituary captured your mum’s life and loves so well. She was truly an elegant, wonderful, loving and wise person. With best wishes, Pamela, Christopher, Wesley & Claire Chan (Hardy).
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pietsie Wendy –
My condolences to you and your family – Gwen will be missed! She was a wonderful and generous lady with a real flair for life. Thoughts are with you at this time.
Lots of love,
Pietsie
Dear Wendy, Ross and I were sad to learn of your mother’s passing. We have many fond memories of the all the parties we
all attended at Kathleen Harper’s. We admired Gwen very much and always enjoyed her company. We send our condolences to you and all your family. Carol and Ross Macdonald