Mackeown, Gwyn: October 6,1929-June 26,2015 Gwyn passed suddenly and peacefully on June 26, 2015. She is survived by her loving husband Norm, her two sons Glenn (Jo) Easton, Warren (Annemarie), her step-son Greg (Heather) Mackeown, step-daughters Susan MacKeown, Janice (Terry) MacKeown and seven grandchildren; Karen, Kelsey, Katrina, Jennifer, Maxfield, Naomi and Fennie. As well as sis Belle, brothers Jim, Dave and Bernard. Gwyn is predeceased by her two brothers Horace and Sid, and her sister Gladys. She was a long-time member of the Women's Institute and you would find Gwyn cheerily volunteering at the weekly stock sales in OK Falls. She also volunteered for the Kaleden Recreation Association where, being Gwyn, she simply did what was needed and gave her best. Gwyn grew up in the valley, the daughter of Kaleden pioneers Thomas William and Eveline Marriott. She graduated from Pen High, worked her summers at the Kaleden Co-Op Growers, and loved to swim in Skaha Lake - where years later taking the personal challenge one cool summer morning she swam across it from Kaleden. After attending business college in Vancouver Gwyn worked at VGH, married and raised her family eventually in North Vancouver. During a sojourn in Toronto, Gwyn worked at the Banting and Best Institute of Diabetic Research for Dr. George Best. A BC girl at heart, she returned to Vancouver, remarried embracing three new step-children. She and Norm, with two business friends built two ski chalets in what would become the Municipality of Whistler. Gwyn marvelously could haul, paint and stain boards, sand, clean and build, then cook meals on a Coleman stove at night. Not long after she did it again after she and Norm finally moved back to the valley to build their dream house by Skaha Lake, with their own plans, mainly by their own hands. Their home in Kaleden became the centre of a vibrant social life - Gwyn loved to entertain and she and Norm where consummate hosts. It was the destination all summer long for friends and family, their friends and family, girlfriends and boyfriends of the children, acquaintances - whether they called to announce or just dropped in, Gwyn would be there, welcoming them with astonishing grace and hospitality. A tradition that continued when she moved to Kelowna where she touched the lives of so many in her community as friend, hostess, volunteer and someone who would listen quietly when needed. Gwyn was more than kind-hearted, the rock, the glue solidifying her sometimes far-flung family; she was a beautifully balanced spirit of true compassion and loyal determination. She will be missed by all of us. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to (FR) Viktor Grundel, Spiritual Heath Lead, Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, who in the first hours was invaluable. Friends and Family Celebration of Life to be held at Balmoral Resort Community Clubhouse, 2365 Stillingfleet Rd. Kelowna BC, Thursday, July 2, from 1:00-4:00 PM. Remembrance may be donated to The Kelowna Hospital Foundation in lieu of.
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