Obituary of Gwen Falconer
Please click here to view the livestream of the service
FALCONER, Gwen
(nee Hannah)
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Gwen Falconer (nee Hannah) on October 2, 2021. Predeceased by her father, Rex Hannah, she is survived by: her husband of 52 years, Barry, daughter Allison (Saravanan), son Blair, much-loved granddaughter Rayka, mother Dorothy, as well as many cousins and close friends.
Gwen was raised in rural Saskatchewan on a farm west of Parry, attending elementary classes at Wagner and Parry schools, completing early high school grades at Pangman and Grade 12 at Notre Dame in Wilcox. Gwen earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina.
Her 45-year teaching career began with the Regina Catholic School System, where she taught grades 4 through 8, followed by a rewarding 15-year term at the SIAST/Saskatchewan Polytechnic. There she taught Mathematics, Grade 12 English, History, and ESL. Gwen’s caring nature had a personal impact on many students lives. On several occasions as she entered SIAST, her ESL students would greet her with a hug. As a sign of her dedication, she would often say, that if these people can overcome immense hardships with personal sacrifices, then it is our duty to remove any roadblocks to their success, through education. Gwen retired from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in 2016. She was determined to encourage a quality education for her children and especially her granddaughter by providing countless hours of support, love and mentoring.
Gwen was an ardent believer in the public health system, acting upon this belief by serving her community on the Regina Qu'Appelle Mental Health Review Panel for 25 years. She retired from that service in 2016. It was always her nature to defend and act in the interests of those around her who could not directly help themselves.
Gwen loved to travel which was influenced by her love and study of history, art and culture. She and Barry thoroughly enjoyed travel throughout Europe, in particular to France and the U.K. A holiday was more of a time to explore and absorb as much as possible. Her love for flowers and architectural gardens led them to take several gorgeous garden tours. Highlights were the Kew Gardens outside of London, Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Netherlands, and the Chateau de Villandry in France.
Gwen was passionate about the arts which inspired her to visit many fantastic art galleries and museums on her travels. However, she was very proud of our own local artists and faithfully attended the Regina Symphony, Globe Theatre, and the multi-cultural Mosaic. She encouraged an appreciation for the arts with her granddaughter, by regularly enrolling her in art and theatre classes at the Neil Balkwill Centre and Globe Theatre, respectively.
Gwen belonged to the U of R Women's Cooking Club and Book Club where she loved hosting groups. She was a voracious reader, but it was the people that she met in these activities that were most important to Gwen. She loved frank, spirited, sincere and fun conversation.
Throughout her tremendous physical challenges, she continued learning through the U. of R. Seniors University Group and Life Long Learning. She was actively taking classes such as Women Artists in History, A Simmering and Unsettled Europe 1756-1789, Wines of the World and Canadian Wines until the very end which highlighted her drive to engage the world outside, and bring context to our lives.
Funeral Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina SK on Friday,
October 15, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. To view the livestream of the service or to leave an online message of condolence, please visit Gwen's tribute page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.
Family and friends so wishing may make memorial donations in Gwen's name to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lung Association or the M.S. Society.
