In Loving Memory of
Gwen Beverley Fedchuk
(Maiden: Guise)
of Grande Prairie, Alberta
July 11, 1940 - April 18, 2021
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our mother, Gwen Fedchuk on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Prairie Lake Hospice in Grande Prairie, AB, at the age of 80 years.
Gwen was born July 11, 1940, in Grande Prairie, but spent the early years of her life with her family in Lymburn, AB. The oldest of 7 kids and the only girl, Gwen was always part of many exciting adventures. Life was busy for the Guises, with her mom running the post office and general store while raising her children, and her dad serving in the military and later working for the railroad.
Gwen’s early schooling years took place at the Lamburt and Preston Lake schools. In Grade 10 she went to Grande Prairie and attended an all-girls school while living in the Wapiti Lodge dorms. During this period, she met her friend Maureen, and this would be the beginning of their lifelong friendship. It was also during this time that she became smitten with Bennie. Even though she knew Bennie when she was in Grade 5 and he was in Grade 10 (as back in those days they shared the same one-room schoolhouse), their connection really didn’t begin until she was done school. This is when they started to hang out together more often with friends and at hockey games.
Bennie and Gwen were married on December 20, 1958. Soon after their wedding, they began their family with the arrival of Rod, Lorne, Brian, Rhonda, and their sweet surprise Alison.
Gwen was definitely an active parent. Despite having 5 children she still made it a priority to maintain her daily routine of having coffee and conversation with friends. Her kids quickly learned how important this was to their mom. Independence and life skills were being instilled in her children at an early age as Gwen generally only attended to them when necessary, or there was blood.
While life was busy for Bennie and Gwen, they still managed to take time for some fun. Trips to Edmonton to visit family, Vegas get-a-ways, weekend adventures in curling bonspiels, camping with friends, and a lot of time spent at the Tomshak farm, were just some of the ways they enjoyed spending their time.
With the majority of her kids up and gone, Gwen was very excited to enter the workforce. Her first job was as a school bus driver for the county in 1979. While she enjoyed this job and made many great friendships, it did have some challenges. Navigating the roads during Alberta winters and some consistent unruly behaviors, helped Gwen to develop a new vocabulary, which shocked many.
With the death of Bennie, Gwen became a widow at 58. While this was a very tough loss, her resilience, strength, and newfound independence provided many new opportunities for her. She kept herself busy by attending her weekly TOPS meetings, bowling, bridge and crib nights, catering, and watching her grandkids play their sports, even if this entailed many trips to Edmonton. She loved to travel and made her way with family and friends to Hawaii, Cuba, Victoria, Vegas, Mexico, and Palm Springs. A very special trip for her was with her brother Glen and sister-in-law Linda to Alaska.
Growing up in a family with 6 brothers made Gwen very competitive in nature. She loved to bet, and she loved to win. Daily crib games with Bennie, family poker matches, bingo at the senior’s lodge, and watching curling on TV (with side bets with brother Wade), were just a few examples of what Gwen loved to do. Of course, most of these activities involved the exchange of money, usually in her favor.
Gwen’s love of people and her inquisitive nature kept her part of everyone’s lives. She kept up with the daily happenings of all of those around her. Her family referred to her as the “Peace Pipeline” for good reason. A whole new way for Gwen to communicate and keep informed was when her granddaughter, Chelsea, introduced her to Facebook. While this was exciting and new to her, she had a difficult time with online etiquette. She misspelled most of her words, commented on random posts of total strangers, and became offended easily when she found out new information via Facebook and not a phone call.
For the past 5 years, Gwen lived at Dieppe Manor. She loved it there and had many special friendships which were so important to her. Much of her time was focused around coffee time, cards, and sitting in the “Golden Oasis” with her friends.
Gwen had such a great sense of humor. She was smart, sassy, witty, kind, caring, and giving. These enduring qualities are what her family will always remember and cherish about her. She loved the amazing friends she had, and she loved her family. Nothing made her happier than visiting and being surrounded by people. She loved get-togethers at Christmas, family celebrations, spending time at Lorne and Carla’s farm, and our yearly family reunions. The reunions were especially important to her because it was the one time during the year when all of her children would be together, as well as her brothers with their families.
This past year was a difficult one for Gwen as she tried to navigate through the challenges of Covid and her declining health. The last time she was able to be with all of her family was the celebration of her 80th birthday in July.
She will be forever remembered by her sons: Rod (Lorraine), Lorne (Carla), and Brian (and family); daughters: Rhonda (Doug), and Alison (Jerry); grandkids: Lindsey (Mike), Chelsea (Dustin), Carsen, Adam (Alyssa), Kylie (Josh), Austin (Megan), Kacie, Brendan, Mackenzie, and Ashton. Her great-grandchildren: Maddi, Loghan, Sadie, Ayden, Easton, Cody, Emery, and Kai, will dearly miss their Bubba. Gwen will also hold a special place in the hearts of her brothers: Glen (Linda), Bill, Eddie (Claudia), and Wade (Candace) along with their families; uncle Raymond Pollock; in-laws: Jim and Olga Craig, Ken and Betty Tolman, and Henry Spacil. Her devoted friend/surrogate sister of over 65 years, Maureen Volden, will miss Gwen tremendously.
Gwen was predeceased by her husband Bennie, parents Ron and Iyleen Guise, brothers Bobbie and Jackie Guise, sister-in-law Elsie Spacil, and nephew Brent Craig.
Her family is grateful for the care and support she received from Dr. Duta and the nurses at the QEII Hospital, 3N. Words cannot even describe the appreciation to Dr. Barreth and the staff at the Prairie Lake Hospice. They all went above and beyond to care for Gwen making her as comfortable and peaceful as possible during her time there.
Cremation has taken place. As per Gwen’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Interment will take place this summer.
“In life, we loved you dearly, in death, we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place, that no one else will ever fill.”
