"To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world"
Gwen always made everyone feel that to her YOU were that one person. Gwen was really never a child... she was born a mini adult and was given responsibilities before she could walk, at least that's the way it was retold to me, her husband.
Our cabin at Hicks Lake grew to become a camp, a cottage, then a home, then a 4 season retreat, always with an open door for all our friends and over 50 years of visiting kids who grew up, became parents (and grandparents) sharing the camping experience over the years.
She was never far from a book, and had the ability to multitask before it was a word. Her whole life consisted of 70 minute hours, 8 day weeks, 32 day months... well you get the idea!!! She completed primary school thru grade thirteen in 10 years, graduated from Lakehead University in 1965 as perhaps the youngest to receive one of Lakehead's first degrees granted, and with one summer of "Teachers College" in Toronto entered her classroom at Hammarskjold High School in September as "Miss Thrower" teaching Latin and Senior grades of French. When the Lakehead Board of Ed. announced they were going to drop Latin Gwen engaged her "Plan B" and obtained a business diploma studying part time while still teaching full time, continuing teaching until she had completed 10 years with the Board. Time to implement Plan B.
A large Umbrella Company DETCO was seeking an Executive Secretary. Gwen applied and aced the interview. Her position evolved into the financial area but after working there for a number of years there was an atmosphere of downsizing in an area which Gwen had become interested, that of industrial sales.
"The Best Of Times" Several of her fellow employees thought they could do better, which led to the formation of a partnership of Ric, Barry and Gwen who struck off on their own with their new company RPM Drives and Design. With the assistance of a respected Professional Engineer Jay who provided occasional advice and guidance, RPM slowly hired additional staff and the business grew... but how big should it become? It was now closing in on the 10 plus with employees but still maintained the "family atmosphere" Purchasing practices of some of their larger clients lead to RPM putting a new name over their door, " Canadian Bearings " where Gwen and almost all of the original gang worked until their retirement, adding staff and adding other branches in smaller Northern Ontario communities.
Gwen was a cheerleader in high school, did mixed curling, was an avid golfer, and combined many golf and travel holidays with best of friends Barry and Judy, who planned and organized mini holidays. She was a quiet fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs for years but adopted a second alternate team to support, the Calgary Flames when Lanny Macdonald was traded to them because she saw at the time a quicker path to a Stanley cup win. 1967 was along time ago!!! Seems she was correct with that call.
She had volunteered for many years at the Thunder Bay Community Credit Union ( now Copperfin) on the audit committee and on its board of directors and was a regular in the kitchen on hot dog days at Gron Morgan school.
After dealing with Dementia at home for 4 years, she leased a room at the Inn (Hogarth Riverview Manor) for 3 &1/2 years and here she found a safe port from the storm. It was perfect, with a clear view of the Chapple's Golf Course and a window view of the baseball diamonds. She stopped reading but began
being read to enjoying books of authors Balducci, Patterson, Clarke, and most recently Robert Galbraith, a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling ( Harry Potter series).
Gwen celebrated her 80th birthday last September at the inn and her family rediscovered a communication skill Gwen had used all of her life, non verbal communication. Using a glint in her eyes, a coy smile on her lips and a one word response, Gwen was able to bring laughter to the group gathered for her
birthday celebration, a tool that she had always used when differing opinions began to polarize a discussion. Humor was always one of her strong suits.
Planned celebrations of life will be held in Thunder Bay circa July 19th TBA and in Calgary circa August 11 TBA. friends are invited to respond if they wish to attend to share their humorous recollections with members of the family.
Father Clarence ( Scoop) Thrower, Mother Ruth (Niittynen) GWEN was the first borne of 7 siblings, Sister PAT (Rance); Wayne & (Heather), Christopher & (Ashley) , Courtney, Brad & (Tonalee), Rudi, Aaron, Craig & (Tara), Maddison Kyara; Brother LEONARD (June); Nephew Dale (Debbie), Dales children Mitchell (Fabiola), Jenna ( son Grayson) and Bradley, Niece Jennifer's husband Ken Sister GAIL (Frank); Kelli-ann, Jay ( Beth ) daughter Emma Brother GARY, Brother DOUG (Carrie), daughter Jessica, Sister DONNA (Ron); daughter Kristin, Brenna, Rhylan, daughter Karly (Will) Lincoln, Sister in Law Linda Wolframe ( Dave); son James (Trina), Tristram, son Rob,( Megan) son Kayden, Brandon, Grayson, Brother in law Barry, Jacob ( Joan) Special extended family JIM Douglas (Terri);
daughters Kendall and Kelsey.
A sincere thank you to PSW's, Dr MacLean, nurses staff and 4th and 5th floor supervisor Laurie AND Hospice Northwest Volunteer Julie Ready for your countless hours spent visiting Gwen. She looked forward to your visits.
Desired donations can be made to Hospice Northwest, Easter seals, or charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
