It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Gwen (Mary Gwendolyne) Keele, an absolute family gem whom so greatly appreciated everything about her family and her life. Gwen passed away peacefully in her home, with her granddaughter Kirsten by her side, on August 11th, 2022.
We will miss our grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. Gwen was an avid gardener, reader, and baker and she loved the big band era of music. Gwen was gentle, bright, kind and had a penchant for numbers which she used throughout her 20 years working at the Bank of Montreal.
Born in Swan River, Manitoba on May 4th, 1922, Gwen was the third youngest of four children, to the late John Henry (Jack) and Maude Ethel (Mingo) Trew. Gwen left Swan River when she was five years’ old to move to New Westminster with her parents. Gwen attended school in Burnaby and graduated from Burnaby South Secondary. Gwen met the love of her life Leslie Keele in 1939 through friends and they spent time together and with friends, roller skating and whenever she could, watching Leslie’s jazz band perform. Leslie joined the Canadian Airforce and Gwen and Leslie were married in 1942.
Gwen and Leslie moved around, as military families do, to Toronto, Brantford and Lethbridge, where Gwen worked for the town of Lethbridge. Then Gwen gave birth to their daughter Gail Barbara in 1943 and were transferred again to Calgary, Trenton, Baden Baden, Germany and finally to Moose Jaw where Leslie retired in 1967. Immediately after retiring, Gwen and Leslie moved to Comox so they could live by the sea and get a sailboat.
Gwen is survived by her grandchildren Kehl (Carolynn), Christopher (Tina) and Kirsten Edwards (Stephen), and great grandchildren Liam, Trew, Emily, Nicholas, Fay & Stella, and good friend Sue Walden. Gwen was predeceased by her daughter Gail Barbera (Keele) Petersen, son-in-law John Petersen, husband Leslie Keele, and her three brothers and sister-in-laws, John Henry (Jack) & Rena Trew, William Edgar (Bud) & Izetta Trew, and Donald Wellington (Don) & Evelyn Trew.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderfully caring Island Health home care staff and the wonderful Dr. Nikova and her team. The family will be planning a small service in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) or www.JDRF.ca.
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