Obituary of Beatrice Winifred Gordon

BEATRICE WINNIFRED GORDON January 3, 1923 - December 14, 2011 Win passed away peacefully with family at her side in Regina General Hospital at the age of 88 years; until then Win lived an independent, full and active life. Win is predeceased by parents Catherine and James Evans; brothers Bill and Reg, sisters Madge, Jean and Gwen; husband Dr. Douglas F.P. Gordon and son Gavin (Brenda and Sidney) and is survived by sisters Gladys and Kit and brother Jim, and Win's children Meriel (Sarah and Kaylee, Jared), Alasdair (Takae) and Cerys (Steve Sellinger, Zoe, Paige and Kira). Win was born at the Tyddyn (ta-thin) Guilsfield, Mid-Wales. Win's happy childhood in this magical countryside was often recounted to her children, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Win was a Registered Nurse passing her examination in 1944 at St. Chad's Hospital, Smethwick, England. While in training Win witnessed the bombing of Coventry; on a later trip to visit family Win was very moved to see the new Cathedral that had been built beside the old ruins. Douglas and Win met in Weymouth on the south coast of England where both were working. The story goes that Win was asked to get cigarettes for the new Scottish doctor; Win replied, "he can get his own". They were married in 1951 at Leighton, Wales. Douglas and Win had their honeymoon in Cornwall. During this time Douglas got a job interview in Inverness Scotland, so the honeymoon was cut short and Win helped drive the length of the UK at night with an L (learner's) on the back of their Sunbeam Talbot. After working in various locations throughout the UK, Canada beckoned. Douglas flew to their new home in Kingston; Win joined later by a converted troop ship which in the late fall of 1954 met Hurricane Hazel in the North Atlantic. After a few days of Hazel, Win was one of the few showing up for meals and eventually started taking care of passengers and crew alike. That first taste of Canadian winter in Kingston hardly prepared them for the winter of 1955 in their new home of North Battleford. Douglas and Win lived beside the town's water tower. One day Win heard a rumble she would never forget. The accumulated snow decided to fall almost upon them, and Win wondered what they had got themselves into in this new land. But Saskatchewan was a land of legend for Win. Her father had passed through Saskatoon, a tent town in the middle of an unimaginable expanse of prairie, in the early 1900s, while coming back from Alberta where he thought the family might relocate (Win's mother declined the opportunity). Win could never have imagined this land would become her home and a place she would come to love. Here Meriel came into their lives and Win began her new role as a loving, devoted mother. In 1959 they moved to Regina where they would stay for the rest of their lives. Here Alasdair, Gavin and Cerys came into their lives. With four active children, a husband who was an obstetrician/gynecologist gone many nights delivering babies; and various pets: looking after her family became Wins focus. And she did it in her strong, supportive, loving way. Later, Win went back to nursing, passing her examinations in 1983. Win worked with Douglas until 1988 when they retired together. In the fall of 2010 Win travelled with Alasdair to Wales and Scotland for a last visit with family. The day before leaving, Alasdair ran in the Regina QCM running race. Alasdair liked to exaggerate to amuse mum, so upon landing at Heathrow airport, he groaned about tired legs, and then helped mum up. Getting up and starting were tricky for mum at that time, but once mum got going she was alright. As mum left the plane and was getting onto the ramp, hunched over and wobbly, the flight attendant rushed up and asked if a wheelchair was needed. Mum said: "no, he's alright" (with a dismissive flick of the arm at Alasdair) and kept on shuffling up the ramp and the attendant was stunned and Alasdair was laughing and mum was getting away. Win was a founding and active member of All Saints Anglican Church. Just prior to her death, she was still serving on the Altar Guild, Canterbury Companions and volunteering at Wascana Rehab taking patients to worship services. Mum has left her children, grandchildren and great grandchild with many wonderful memories and stories. Mum lived to give and she did it in such a loving and caring way. Her smile and gentle voice brought comfort to all. Mum was supportive and loving to us all and we are eternally grateful and deeply saddened by mum's sudden passing. Mum was always concerned about others, and told us there was to be no funeral. She didnt want people to fuss! Therefore, according to mums wishes, a private interment will be held at a later date. We ask you to remember mum in your own special way. For those who wish, charitable donations may be sent to All Saints Anglican Church, 142 Massey Road, S4S 4M9 or to The Hospitals of Regina Foundation, PO Box 1697, Regina, SK, S4P 3C6. Our family wishes to thank the staff of Regina General Hospital Emergency and 6th Floor Wards for their professional and compassionate care of our mum. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com