Gertrude Williams

Gert was the family matriarch (and rock), and was adored for her kindness, wisdom, generosity, and her “wicked” wit. She was always up for the next adventure and would often be the ringleader in some sort of mischief. A voracious reader, she always had a book on the go, (that is when she wasn’t watching sports on TV). Never one to toot her own horn, she was always there for whatever was needed, and adored by all who met her.

Gert was born in Lockwood, Saskatchewan and grew up in a small farming community with her parents and eight siblings. She led the Schroeder clan to school via horse and buggy until she graduated high school and left home for Regina where she worked at Sears, the Department of National Defense, and ultimately met her husband, Bill. They married and raised three daughters, moving to Calgary in 1962. Gert worked for Woodward’s and remained with the company when they moved to Vancouver in 1980. Gert and Bill retired and returned to Calgary in 2005, where they enjoyed being back together with their family.

Gert was predeceased by Bill, her husband of 68 years, in 2020, and is survived by daughters Bev Blue (Kim), Doreen Stangowitz (Gord) and Wendy Titterington (Blaine); and the lights of her life - her grandchildren Kevin Stangowitz (Joscelyn) and Erin Cattani (Glenn), and her great-grandchildren Kira, Isla, Joel and Clark. She is also survived by siblings Edie Rickert, Hilda Weibe, Alice (Walter) Wintonyk and Alec (Joanne) Schroeder, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Auburn Heights Retirement Residence for their care and attention (with a special shout out to her tablemates Izzy and Phyllis), and to the medical professionals at South Health Campus Hospital.

A Celebration of Life Reception for both Gert and Bill will be held at the Beach House at Lake McKenzie (16199 McKenzie Lake Way SE, Calgary) on Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm; remarks at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crohn's & Colitis Canada at https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/ or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada https://www.heartandstroke.ca/.