It is with much sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Gwen Anders on Sunday, July 23, 2017 in Nanaimo, BC. Gwen was predecessed by her husband, Ben, in 2004 and is survived by her daughter Susan (Wayne), Ben (Lorene), and Paul (Jill). She had 7 grandchildren: Shaun, Ben (Noriko), Jason, Yarrow (Matthew), Lindsay (Robbie), Rowan, Robin and 4 great grandchildren: Niko, Lucas, Connor, Isla. Family was important to her. She took an active role in keeping in contact with grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and friends around the world.
Gwen was born in Emo, Ontario on May 1, 1924. She grew up on a working farm, leaving when she was 16 to attend high school in Fort Francis. As a one-room schoolteacher, before university, she honed her skills at English fastidiousness and was ever after a stickler for correct language and punctuation usage. She enrolled at university in London, Ontario, where she eventually met our dad as they shared an office and competed for the same scholarship. Gwen graduated with an HBA (47) and an MBA (48) from University of Western Ontario. She was the first woman in Canada with this degree. Our favourite saying of Mom’s was “ I am woman hear me roar!” Anyone who tried to argue with Mom can attest to this. Mom and Dad moved back and forth across Canada calling North Vancouver, Victoria, West Vancouver, BC; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Richmond Hill, Ontario; Richmond, BC home before retiring to Lantzville, BC. Mom and Dad enjoyed their extensive travels to over 50 countries throughout the world. Mom was always looking forward to her next travel adventure. In 2015, as the surviving matriarch, Mom enlivened the Carlson family 100 year reunion at the original family farm in Emo, Ontario. Mom enjoyed contributing to many local charities. She also established the Ben and Gwen Anders scholarship which is awarded annually to a woman attending the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Thank you to the staff of Origin at Longwood for their support and friendship to Mom over the years. The family will be gathering to celebrate her life as Gwen, Mom, Auntie, Amah, Ganga and GG.