GWENDOLINE MAE WELSH (PRINGLE)

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GWENDOLINE MAE WELSH (nee PRINGLE) On December 23, 2017, at the Misericordia Community Hospital, Edmonton, AB, after a brief illness. Born in Manitou, MB, on November 8, 1927, to William T. Pringle and Elsie A. (Shewfelt) Pringle. Gwen was predeceased by her husband, Frederick Welsh (1994) and sister Merle Boyd (2014). She is survived by her son William Welsh (Maria Fernanda), of Raleigh, NC; daughter Corinne Overwater (Daniel), of Carvel, AB; grandchildren, Alexander and Conor Overwater, and Maria Camila and Ana Daniela Welsh; and two brothers, Norris Pringle, of Morden, MB and Alistaire Pringle, of Welland, ON, and their families. Having demonstrated a love for piano by age five, Gwen attended boarding school at Bruxelles Convent School and St. Mary's Academy for advanced piano instruction. Earning her Licentiate Certificate in Performance from Toronto Conservatory of Music, as a young woman, she taught in Manitou, Winnipeg, Flin Flon and Pine Falls, MB, also becoming a Registered Nurse (Winnipeg General Hospital) and working in Cornwall, ON and for the Victorian Order of Nurses (MB). She shared many stories of her VON days travelling around Winnipeg tending to patients. One thing Gwen valued most was her lifelong friendship with her nursing classmates. Gwen married Fred, June 9, 1956, and they bought 'Pine Pharmacy' in Pine Falls in 1960. She shared her gift of music as an organist for firstly the local United and then the Anglican Church for decades, and for St. Bartholomew Anglican Church (Winnipeg) in recent years. Gwen prepared many young pianists for Toronto Conservatory and Western Board exams, spending long evenings with groups of students at the dining room table teaching music history and theory. She played classical guitar for relaxation, glockenspiel with the local band when needed, and she was an enthusiastic student of improvisational jazz. Gwen was active in the Order of the Eastern Star as Grand Organist and she played regularly for many organizations and events. She accompanied choirs in Pine Falls and Winnipeg, treasuring her time with the Sunrise Singers. After Fred's passing, Gwen moved back to Winnipeg, where she remained active with choirs, receiving recognition for her years of volunteerism with Winnipeg's Age & Opportunity Inc. She easily transposed music 'on the fly' to suit a choir's abilities, and this made her a valued accompanist. Gwen and Fred travelled extensively to attend pharmaceutical conferences and Canadian Old timers Hockey Association tournaments, frequently visiting Europe, Great Britain, Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, Brazil and North Africa. They enjoyed their travels around North America and Colombia, and the summer road trips they took pulling their trailer to both coasts and to favourite places in the Rockies. Gwen moved to St. Albert, AB, in 2016 to be closer to her daughter. She was happy to be part of the River Ridge Retirement Community and was able to enjoy many visits and outings with Corinne's family. Reunion with Bill and his family during her last days brought her much joy. We wish to thank Dr. Bartlett (Medical Arts, Winnipeg) for his superb attention over many years as well as Dr. Shameem Shaker (Horizon Medical, St. Albert), and the General and Emergency staff at the Misericordia Community Hospital (Edmonton), especially Dr. Aaron Mallet and Dr. Michael Karolak, for their careful attention to our mother. Our family is grateful to the River Ridge staff for their professionalism and affection. Additionally, we thank Barb and Wayne at Lawton Partners; Matt Shumsky; Jodie (and Madison) Hrynkiw, Elaine and Darrell Parisian, Mom's nursing 'sisters', our Uncle Alistaire Pringle, and our cousin Judy Pringle, for the many selfless kindnesses they showed to our mother during her last years in Winnipeg. Mom felt lucky to be surrounded by so many caring, generous people in her lifetime. She put family first, even before herself, and we will miss her gentle sense of humour and conversation. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a future date in Winnipeg, MB. Thank you to Melissa and T.J. of Parkland Funeral Services, Stony Plain, AB, for their care and guidance. Bill and Corinne invite friends to donate to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, a local Humane Society or a favourite charity in Gwen's name.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2018