Gwendolyn Mary Conner Ziemanis

December 3 1948 - August 28 2015

Gwen left us August 28, 2015 after a long and tenacious battle with Cancer, she was 66 years old. She requested no formal service after her passing. We welcome friends and family to leave messages or stories of Gwen in remembrance of her.

Anyone who knew Gwen knows that although she laughed easily, she was a private person, who was most comfortable surrounded by close family and friends. She loved reading and was passionate about sharing new authors and book recommendations. She loved hitting up random garage sales and looking for a buried treasure or in the best scenario an antique. She enjoyed music, George and her would often sit together in the evenings listening to various songs. Recently she became addicted to “The Voice” and loved to discuss her favorite artists with friends and family.

For many years she was a dedicated stay at home mother to four children. George, her husband of 47 years was often on the road as a salesman, so Gwen was for all intents and purposes a “single parent” to four for long periods. As her children got older she was known to be a “second mom” to many of the adolescent friends who entered her home. Her door was always open to friends of her children, and the house was often full of kids sleeping on couches. Due to George’s job the family moved numerous times. Each time she packed up her home and children and worked hard to put down roots and provide stability for her kids.

What may not be common knowledge is that Gwen was stubborn and strong. These were traits that served her well in her lengthy fight to stay with us. She was angry at her disease and she was committed to trying anything and tolerating everything to remain here with us. She fought an incredible fight and those of us that love her are extremely proud of her. We struggle at this time not to selfishly focus on missing her, and her voice, and her smile, but to embrace the peace she has finally found after battling for so long.

She is survived by her mother Betty Conner, sister Debbie (Greg), brothers Gordon (Nancy) and Dean (Denise) , her husband George (Juris) Ziemanis and children Tara, Adam (Natalee), Andy and Emilie (Ed). She leaves behind four very loved grandchildren, Liam, Kate, Aiva and Xander.

As Gwendolyn has requested no formal funeral service, donations can be sent in her memory to The Cross Cancer Institute, 11560- University Avenue, Edmonton AB T6G 1Z2