GWENDOLYN MAY MCCORRISTER

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GWENDOLYN MAY MCCORRISTER (GRAHAM) 1930 - 2017 Gwen died peacefully in the early dawn of June 6 after experiencing a massive brain bleed on June 3. Mum was surrounded by the love and care of her family and friends, near and far, as she had been throughout her life. Gwen was born January 8, 1930 to Oliver and Gladys (Guest) Graham on the family farm near Holland, MB in the middle of a prairie snow storm - a memorable beginning for a very feisty, gentle, caring woman. Mum took her schooling in the Holland area, graduated in 1948 and worked at Eaton's Mail-order in Winnipeg. In 1949 she was swept off her feet when she met Lloyd McCorrister of Winnipeg at a dance in Cypress River. She married the love of her life on February 3, 1950 and together lovingly raised their children Rick and Marlene in Winnipeg. After Rick and Marlene left home, Gwen and Lloyd moved to Portage la Prairie for Lloyd's work as a CPR Engineer and remained there after their retirement. Mum was a rural person at heart and she spent many weekends and summers with her family at the farm near Holland, instilling in them a love of rural life and a deep appreciation for the land and all of creation. Gwen and Lloyd's mutual love of nature and adventure took their family on many camping trips from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Mum also loved travelling to Hawaii, Europe, and the USA, including spending many winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Gwen was a social person and loved a good time around the farm kitchen table, the banquet table, the campfire, the local ball diamond and the church potluck supper. She was at ease with everyone she met and enjoyed sharing stories and laughs that endeared her to the many people she came in contact with through her work as a pharmacy clerk in Winnipeg, a home care aide in Portage la Prairie; and volunteer time with the Portage Hospital Auxiliary, Trinity United Church, the Royal Purple, and the IOOF. Along with her social nature, Mum's genuine care for people wherever she encountered them was evident in her pleasant demeanour and sharing of wisdom. Those with whom she came in contact felt listened to and loved. As a child she loved her farm pets and in her later years, her canine friend Tag. She talked to any animal she encountered and they were drawn to her. Mum was a bowling and golf trophy winner with a prized hole-in-one on the birthday of her oldest grandson. Gwen and Lloyd loved to dance, and their jiving brought other dancers to a full-stop to watch these two! They moved through the dance of life supporting and caring for each other during joyful and difficult times including Lloyd's decades of cardiac issues. When Lloyd died in 1999, she lost her dance partner and life was never quite the same. However, with the support of family and friends she remained on her own in Portage until the fall of 2008. When faced with increasing health issues, she moved to Okotoks, AB to live with daughter, Marlene and Mark, and to spend a month of each winter in Tugaske, SK with son Rick and Catherine. With increasing dementia, she moved to Tudor Manor in Okotoks in July of 2016. Gwen leaves to treasure her memory, her children, Rick McCorrister (Catherine Barnsley) and Marlene Podwysocki (Mark); grandchildren, Michael Podwysocki (Liz Blanchard) and Sean Podwysocki; grandchildren, Kevin McCorrister (Kirsten Earl McCorrister), Andrew McCorrister (Stacey Sutton), Stuart McCorrister (Sheryl Muzyk), and Robert McCorrister (Suki La Vallee), and their mother Marilyn McCorrister; and great-grandchildren, Holden, Ian, Micah, Finlay, Alice, Xavier, and Sydney and brother Ralph Graham (Brenda), along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends who were all important to her. Thanks to the staff of Tudor Manor, especially Canterbury II who gave Mum such loving, compassionate care over these last 11 months. We also express our deep appreciation to the staff of Unit 31 at the Foothills Hospital who were so supportive as they journeyed with Mum and her family through the last stages of Mum's life. A celebration of Gwen's life did take place at High River United Church, High River, AB on Friday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev David Robertson officiating; and will take place at Trinity United Church in Portage la Prairie, MB on Saturday, July 15 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Julie Baker officiating. Private family interment at Chapel Lawn, Winnipeg, MB. If you wish, donations can be made to your local dementia association, Trinity United Church, or an organization of your choice. To email condolences, please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com Snodgrass Funeral Home, High River, AB in charge of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 08, 2017