Obituary of VERNA GWENDOLYN BEILMAN

With great sadness the family announces the passing of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gwen.

Gwen leaves to mourn her sons Alan (Jo-Ann), Frederick (Bertha) and Chris (Ruth); along with her grandson Kevin and granddaughters Jennifer, Melissa, Carol-Lynn, and Kimberley; as well as her nine great grandchildren; sisters Barbara and Judy.

Gwen was pre-deceased by her husband Joseph (Joe), mother Alva and father Richard (Dick), brothers Edwin, Leslie, Cleve (Buster) and Omar also her sisters Ailene and Norma.

Gwen was born on November 7^th, 1929, in Birch River Manitoba as the seventh surviving child to Richard (Dick) and Alva Lamb. At the age of sixteen, she moved to Winnipeg to finish her education and find employment. She met her husband Joseph three years later and in May of 1951 the two were married at St Joseph’s Church in Winnipeg. They settled in West Kildonan where they raised their three sons.

Gwen spent the first years of her married life as a housekeeper and care giver to her three boys. When they were old enough to look after themselves at home Gwen returned to the workforce as a secretary/receptionist: first at Huggard Equipment then at Thompson Funeral Chapel, until her retirement.

To Gwen two things mattered most – her faith and her family. She was a regular attendee at St. Anthony of Padua Church and was involved in many of the parish’s projects and activities. By the time of her passing Gwen was the longest enrolled member of the parish Catholic Women’s League. She volunteered as the parish secretary and bookkeeper until she returned to the paid workforce, and she and Joe were part of a group of parishioners who established a Boy Scout troop at St. Anthony’s. She did the books for the Group Committee, organized and worked fundraisers, and helped at scout camps and jamborees.

While Gwen and Joe did not have a lot of financial resources, they did what they could to keep their boys happy and active. Camping was a favourite summer activity and it fell to Gwen to spend many summer weekdays at campsites while Joe worked in the city. The boys had many camping adventures at Grand Beach, Patricia Beach and in the Whiteshell. Gwen served as camp cook, lifeguard, medic, transport service and what ever else the boys needed.

Canoeing was a passion of Joe’s and Gwen went along with him, which created a love of the activity in the boys as well. The annual Canoe-a-thon on the Red River and paddling on Muckles Creek on summer Sundays were family activities for years. Later in life she and Joe shared many canoe adventures, paddling and camping their way across the province.

After Joe’s death Gwen stayed closer to home and looked after the house and yard to keep busy. She also took up knitting again and produced countless toques and mitts which she donated for distribution by local charities.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing half an hour prior at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Burrin Avenue, with cremation and interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to L’Arche Winnipeg, The Salvation Army, or a charity of choice.