GWENYTH LEONA MORROW (CEARNS) -

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GWENYTH LEONA MORROW (nee CEARNS) 1935 - 2009 With her family at her side, Gwen passed away at Seven Oaks General Hospital on Monday, January 5, 2009 after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She was courageous in her fight against the disease, which presented her with many challenges and reinforced to her and all her immediate family members the importance of love, caring and looking out for each other. She was their rock, the family glue and they miss her terribly. Gwen leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband George, her children Norene (Allan Reed), Karen, Valerie Allan, Paul and Patrick (Cindy); her grandchildren Philip, Andrew and Gillian Reed; Melissa and Drew Allan; Bryan, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Morrow; her brothers Cliff, Ron and Bobby Cearns and her sister, Margaret Janzen. Gwen was born in Loon Lake, Saskatchewan on December 3, 1935, the daughter of Leonard and Evelyn Cearns. Her family moved to East Kildonan when she was in elementary school. She and George were married in 1956, a union which lasted 52 years. In addition to performing in various chamber orchestras and ensembles including the University of Manitoba Orchestra, Gwen taught violin and music theory. She was a respected and excellent teacher whose students received numerous honours at music festivals and in Royal Conservatory exams. Gwen also sang alto in church choirs and in the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir in the 1970s. Sadly, as her COPD worsened, she had to put her violin and teaching aside. In addition to her love of music, Gwen loved her cats, enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, embroidery and never missed an episode of Coronation Street. Gwen's family is most grateful to Dr. Terry Babick, Dr. Vincent Taraska, Dr. Nolan Finlayson and the health care staff of Seven Oaks General Hospital for the excellent care provided to her, and for the compassion and understanding shown to them all. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate her life will take place at St. George's Crescentwood Anglican Church, 168 Wilton St. on Saturday, January 10 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation to D'Arcy's Animal Rescue Centre or the Manitoba Lung Association would be greatly appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2009