Gwendolyn "Gwen" Ethel Pett

With hearts full of sadness and hope, we announce Gwen’s passing on October 30 at the age of 97. She was born in Cambridge (Galt), the only child of May and Theodore Sharpe. She grew up in a home full of music and faith, competing with her father for the last quarter piece of her mother’s butterscotch pie. She was a good student and was studying at Canada Business College (Hamilton) when she caught the eye of a RCAF navigator, Malcolm Pett. They were married on October 13, 1945 and shared a full life for some 59 years. Starting with living with in-laws, on to an apartment with a kitchen in a closet, then a new wartime house on the mountain in Hamilton, this young family with three little girls set off on the adventure of a military family moving every few years to several Canadian locations. Gwen was initially a stay-at-home mother, but was always active in her community, church and making new friends at each new posting. In Nova Scotia, she became the Commissioner of the Girl Guides and was known for training and testing young ladies. She and Dad became a real sewing team, outfitting herself in lovely formal gowns for Base Officer functions and the now four young ladies for any event. Family was important to Gwen, as illustrated by the care and personal sacrifice she extended to her daughter, Sandra, who battled cancer twice, dying from the disease at age 21 and to her Mother, May, who had lived under her care for many years. It was Gwen’s unshakeable trust in Jesus Christ that sustained her through the sorrows and challenges of life. She was an excellent role model, caring mother and faithful spouse and a gracious hostess to all her children and their growing families, guiding them through their dreams and struggles. Now with an empty nest, Gwen finally returned to school at Loyalist College (Belleville), upgraded her business skills and landed a job working for the Military as head secretary to the Commanding Officer and then the Search & Rescue Squadron. After retirement, they returned to Cambridge to be near family, and she and Dad enjoyed many happy years of the Snowbirds' life in their new home in Lakeland, Florida, hosting grandchildren, friends and family with a gracious spirit. Even after the sudden death of her life partner at 75, Gwen continued to show her faith, determination and courage to experience a full life. As Gwen moved into her 90s, dementia began to steal away her memory and chronic Leukemia robbed her of energy. But nothing took away her gentle, gracious spirit or warm smile and her persona of an elegant lady. In life, she never wanted to be out front, but in death her legacy of faith and family, sacrifice and service, beauty, kindness and compassion shine bright for the family she leaves behind. Gwen was born an only child, but at her death, she was a quiet matriarch to five generations. She is predeceased by her husband Malcolm, and her daughters Janet Davidson and Sandra Pett. She is survived by her children, Catharine (Martin) deMontmorency, Elizabeth (Fancett) Hodgkinson and David (Nancy) Pett, her grandchildren, Douglas (Angela), Deborah (Chris), Diana, Angela (Saco), Michelle (Prem), Suzanne (Andrew), Jeanette (Richard), Robert (Mary), Greg (Tracy), Mark (Fran), Jason (Mychelle), Corrine (Richard), Michael (Nadia), Christopher (Kathleen), Laura (Josh) and Nicholas (Mary) her numerous great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A public visitation will take place on Friday, November 7, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at T. Little Funeral Home, 223 Main Street. A ceremony will follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 PM. Following the ceremony, all are invited to join the family for a light reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Gwen’s memory to Blood Cancer United, formerly known as Leukemia Blood & Lymphoma Society of Canada.