Gwendolen Fitzgibbon

On the 22th of December, 2011, our beautiful mother, Gwendolen Margaret (Oliver) Fitzgibbon passed away peacefully at the Chemainus Health Care Center. Born in South Tidworth, England on February 4, 1925, the youngest daughter of Samuel Ernest Oliver and Harriet Simkins, Gwen spent her early years growing up in Mitcham, Surrey. During WWII she worked in the British Land Army and in 1943 married her first husband, Alfred R. Milne RAF, who was lost in the line of duty in 1944. Displaying the resilient and optimistic attitude that she held throughout her life, Gwen immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in 1947. There, in 1948, she married Cyril Howard Fitzgibbon, with whom she shared her life for 54 years. Cy and Gwen moved to Chemainus, BC, in 1975. Gwen will be remembered as a woman of true class, whose natural beauty, inside and out, was always evident in her kind and gentle manner. Her many talents included painting, knitting fabulous sweaters and the creation of lovely gardens wherever she lived. She is survived by her loving children, Keith (Melrene) Fitzgibbon and Gary Fitzgibbon(Lynne), both of Duncan, BC, and Cindy (Russ) Beaton of Red Deer, AB. Gwen also leaves four grandsons, Matthew and Mitchell Fitzgibbon and Philip and Patrick Beaton, as well as a sister, Rene (Bill) Griffiths, of Chemainus. She was predeceased by husband Cyril in 2002 and sister Grace in 2009, in England. The family would like to thank Dr. Manhas and all the caregivers on Ocean Point at the Chemainus Health Care Centre for their dedicated care over the years. Cremation to take place. Please join the family in a remembrance of Gwen’s life on December 31, 2-4pm, at 6249 Lower Chippewa Rd, (The Properties) Duncan. Memorial donations may be made to the Cowichan Valley SPCA. You’ll never be forgotten Mum.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Duncan, BC.