Obituary of Viola Gwendolyn Dunlop

DUNLOP " On Thursday, November 15, 2007 Gwendy Toots? Dunlop (nee Treble) passed away at the age of 87 years. Predeceased by her husband Donald Dunny?; brothers, Gordon, Orville (June), Earle, Lorne in infancy; nephew, Wyman. Toots is survived by her sister Evelyn (Alvin) Beare of Fillmore; two sisters-in-law, May Treble of Regina and Jean Treble of Fillmore; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Born on August 21, 1920, on the family farm at Fillmore, Toots went to a country school called Downing and then highschool in Fillmore. Playing music and going to dances in the surrounding small towns provided much entertainment in her younger years. On August 4, 1945, Toots married Dunny. They farmed in Huronville (in the Fillmore area) until the early 60s. After moving to Regina, Toots worked at OK Marking Devices for several years. An avid lover of flowers, Toots grew prize gladiolas when they lived on Holland Avenue. Not content to simply enjoy her own flowers, she graciously shared their beauty by delivering countless bouquets to friends, relatives and others that she felt needed cheering up. In the early 70s, Toots and Dunny became snowbirds and spent the next many years wintering in Arizona and in later years, Texas. They got great satisfaction out of the deals they would find across the border in Mexico! However, the most enjoyable part of Toots life down south was playing music and making friends through that. Each year, she and Dunny would find enough people to form an orchestra. They would entertain their own park residents and play for others in the area. Toots (also known as Gwendy?), quite simply, loved music and having music in her life was not optional, it was a necessity. She played numerous instruments including the piano, saxophone, violin, guitar and drums. Singing was also part of her musical enjoyment. She wrote and published her own song, This is My Song? in the mid 90s. Toots also enjoyed watching all kinds of sports and was a loyal Riders fan. Family was very important to her as well. She had close relationships with her sister and brothers and had a nick-name for each one of them. She also took great enjoyment in participating in the lives of her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. They, in turn, were lucky to have an auntie, a great-auntie, a great-great-auntie who always made them feel welcomed and cherished. A visit to Auntie Toots house was always filled with warmth and laughter. Toots and Dunny did much entertaining of friends and relatives throughout their lives and their hospitality was truly genuine. In mid-2007, Toots moved to Marianne Chateau where the biggest drawing card for her was the beautiful grand piano in the foyer from which she continued to entertain new and old friends. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, even her little Fishy?, for her delightful sense of humour, her grace and her tender heart. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in Riverside Memorial Park, 815 Assiniboine Avenue East, Regina (please meet inside the gate). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memoriam, to the Regina Humane Society, P.O. Box 3143, Regina S4P 3G7 or to a charity of choice. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com LOGO