It is with great sadness that the family of Gwen Curtis (nee Kellar) a loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday February 8, 2024, at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born January 19, 1940, in Emo, Ont., to Lawrence and Evelyn (nee Allan) Kellar.
Gwen was the middle child of ten and spent many years working around the district; her smile, laughter and enthusiasm made it easy for her to make lifelong friends. She lived all her life in Emo, marrying the love of her life Jack Curtis, raising her children and spoiling her grandkids.
Her second home was at Clearwater lake where Gwen and Jack would spend as much time as they could summer and winter, fishing and ice fishing whenever the chance was available. Both places were well maintained, she made sure the grass always looked like a golf green.
Trips to the casino with friends and family were always a good time with plenty of laughs, Vegas and Laughlin were always a must.
Gwen never missed a chance to go and watch her children and grandkids play hockey. Jack and her would travel to many of the games even if it took them to Toronto for OFSAA.
Gwen started baking at an early age and continued all through her years and if you showed up at her house at meal time you never left hungry. Meals were always served with a choice of dessert, sometimes three which to the smiles of the grandkids she would let them try all three.
She also loved to make jam, strawberry/rhubarb/pineapple was her favourite.
Gwen also enjoyed curling which took her to many bonspiels which to the later part of her life would not miss a curling game if it was televised. She also loved to go dancing, you would see her at all the jams, sometimes only missing a couple of dances the entire evening.
She was a devoted mother to Glenda (David) Lloyd, Brian (Patty) Curtis, and Brad (Jane) Curtis.
She is lovingly remembered by her seven grandchildren Jon (Kristen) Lloyd, David (Sage) Lloyd, Tara (Mark) McGarvey, Kailey (Dave) Chambers, Dylan Curtis, Rhiannon and Josh Curtis; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings Ardell Stevens, Doreen (Wayne) McKay, Arnold (Karen) Kellar, Donna (Melvin) Williamson; sister in-law Jill Kellar; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Gwen was predeceased by her parents Lawrence and Evelyn; her husband Jack Curtis; her siblings Bud (Betty) Kellar, Allan Kellar, Thelma (Essa) Salo, infant brother Donald Kellar, Margaret Kellar; brother-in-law Harvey Stevens.
Honorary pallbearers will be all her grandchildren.
A Service of Remembrance will be held to celebrate Gwen’s life on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ontario. A luncheon will follow at Northridge.
Interment will follow at Emo Cemetery after the luncheon.
As per Gwen’s wishes donations may be made to the Emo Hospital c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
