It is with much sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Gwen Anders (nee Carlson) on Sunday, July 23, 2017 in Nanaimo, B.C.
Gwen was predeceased by her husband, Ben, in 2004.
She is survived by her children, Susan (Wayne), Ben (Lorene), and Paul (Jill); seven grandchildren, Shaun, Ben (Noriko), Jason, Yarrow (Matthew), Lindsay (Robbie), Rowan, and Robin; and four great-grandchildren, Niko, Lucas, Connor, and Isla.
Family was important to Gwen. She took an active role in keeping in contact with her grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends around the world.
Gwen was born on May 1, 1924 in Emo, Ont. She grew up on a working farm, leaving when she was 16 to attend high school in Fort Frances.
As a one-room schoolteacher, before university, she honed her skills at English fastidiousness and was ever after a stickler for correct language and punctuation usage.
She enrolled at university in London, Ont., where she eventually met our dad as they shared an office and competed for the same scholarship.
Gwen graduated with an HBA (’47) and an MBA (’48) from the University of Western Ontario. She was the first woman in Canada with this degree.
Our favourite saying of Mom’s was, “I am woman, hear me roar!” Anyone who tried to argue with Mom can attest to this.
Mom and Dad moved back and forth across Canada, calling North Vancouver, Victoria, West Vancouver, Winnipeg, Richmond Hill, Ont., and Richmond, B.C. home before retiring to Lantzville, B.C.
Mom and Dad enjoyed their extensive travels to more than 50 countries throughout the world.
Mom always was looking forward to her next travel adventure. In 2015, as the surviving matriarch, Mom enlivened the Carlson family 100-year reunion at the original family farm in Emo, Ont.
Mom enjoyed contributing to many local charities. She also established the Ben and Gwen Anders scholarship, which is awarded annually to a woman attending the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
The family will be gathering to celebrate her life as Gwen, Mom, Auntie, Amah, Ganga, and GG.
GWEN ANDERS
