Gwendolyn Rosa Brown

Passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2014 at the age of 99. Predeaceased by her beloved husband Raymond of 68 years. Loving mother of Barbara Grierson (Brian), Tom (Colleen) and Raymond (Barbara). Proud grandmother of Jeff, Chris,Brad, James, Jon, Jen, Greg and great grandmother of 11. She will be forever missed by her family and friends. Visiation will be held Saturday, February 8th, 2014 from 2pm to 4pm at the Jerrett Funeral Home, 660 Kennedy Road., Scarborough, Ontario.

CELEBRATION OF A GLORIOUS LIFE

Gwendolyn Rosa Brown (nee Harlow).

Born on December 2, 1914, Gwen grew up with two older brothers and one younger sister, Fred, Gord and Doe. That was an era of hard times. Her parents, Thomas and Rose Harlow owned a butcher shop, so they did manage to eat well during the depression years, but there was little money to go around. Her father owned his own horse and buggy that was kept in the barn behind their store at 1043 Gerrard St.

In those days one learned the meaning of, "A penny saved is a penny earned". This rule guided her all through her life.

Telephones with party lines and operators to connect your call, bread and milk deliveries by horse drawn wagons, washboard and tub for washing clothes, homes heated by coal that was delivered through the basement window were part of her early life.

Married to Raymond Brown on October 24,1936, they became an inseparable team until his passing on May 26, 2005. While Ray was at war, Gwen proceeded to buy a house at 259 Wolverleigh Blvd. and had a large portion paid off by the time Ray returned home by renting out rooms to boarders while raising three small children.

She was a strong individual who showed kindness and consideration to everyone. With definite likes and dislikes, it took time to make up her mind but always made well informed decisions, loved dancing and music, moving the furniture around and reading the newspaper from cover to cover, saving articles for future reference and family members.

One amazing point is that Gwen went through life paying cash for everything with one exception, a mortgage, and that was addressed with high priority until it was paid off. She would say "get the monkey off the chimney" an expression her father used.

Can you imagine going through life without a credit card? That also meant that they had

no credit rating. It may not be advisable in todays society but it did not affect her.

Gwen was a proud supportive and loving mother to her children, Barb, Tom and Raymond, and her seven grand children and eleven great grand children.