- Services held for Mrs. Gwen Lawrence
A memorial service was held today (Monday) for Gwendolyn Marguerite Bowman Lawrence, wife of Robert Nigel Lawrence, who died at the family home at 5527 Addeson Ave. on Friday. She was 64 and had been in ill health for some time. The mother of three sons, she had taught physical education in two Western provinces before her marriage. The service was held at St. Lukes Anglican Church at 2 p.m. with three officers of the church in attendance: The Rev. Canon Randall E. Ivany of Edmonton, formerly of Red Deer and now Alberta Ombudsman; Venerable Archdeacon Cecil Swanson of Calgary, who married Nigel and Gwen Lawrence in 1933; and Venerable Archdeacon Murray Starr of St. Lukes.
Mrs, Lawrence was a member of the Red Deer Commission of the Girl Guides of Canada, a member of the Red Deer Hospital Auxiliary and of St. Lukes Altar Guild. Born in Lethbridge on Feb. 4, 1909, she attended Susy Bawden Private School, Lethbridge Central School and Lethbridge High School. Adept at track and field, gymnastics and dancing, she had registered in 1927 at the Margaret Eaton School of Physical Education in Toronto for two years study. After travelling in Europe, she opened a small studio to teach dancing and gymnastics in Lethbridge in 1929. At the age of 21, in September of 1930, she accepted a position as gym mistress at St. Hilda's School for Girls in Calgary. Two years later, she transferred to Riverbend School for Girls (now Balmoral Hall) in Winnipeg, remaining there for a year; marrying Robert Nigel Lawrence in Lethbridge on July 19, 1933.
GWEN LAWRENCE led Guides here The couple lived four years in Calgary, where Mr, Lawrence was with the Bank of Montreal and an investment firm. Upon his joining North Star Oil, they moved to Winnipeg in 1937. The family came to Red Deer in 1950, where Mr. Lawrence had the Cockshutt dealership with his brother, Cal. Besides her husband, Mrs. Lawrence is survived by sons N. Patrick Lawrence and Timothy C. Lawrence of Red Deer and Michael B. Lawrence of Como, Que. A brother, R. F, P, Bowman, lives in Lethbridge. A sister, Catherine May, died on Feb. 2, 1924, being buried on Gwens 15th birthday. There are seven grandchildren, including Gillian Mary. Jennifer Elizabeth and Pamela Anne, daughters of Patrick; Fraser Bowman, Christopher David and Tasha Kirby, children of Michael; and Jocelyn Elizabeth, daughter of Timothy. Eventide Funeral Chapels in charge of arrangements. Cremation preceded todays service at St. Luke's.
Red Deer Advocate
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
27 Jan 1975, Mon ? Page 3
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