Joan Gawley
August-17-1932 - August-03-2021
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Val posted a condolence
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Have found memories of Joan from their home in Aylmer. It was really just Joan, Danny and Denis (hung around with these two) and they moved to Ottawa. The adventures and parties were great, would love to get hold of Danny and Denis. Val at 819 360 5302
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Cecelia Thompson posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of Joan, I met Joan through Curves womens exercise class in thunder Bay, and she brought joy and laughter to our morning exercise class. She was a wonderful women and I am sure she will be missed. Condolences to the family especially her sister Audree who joined Joan at the class. Take Care. Cecelia Thompson
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Amber uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 6, 2021
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I'm simply heartbroken. Lots of you know her as my Grandma Bungggggg - a cute nickname that her sister came up with a long time ago that totally stuck, and we say it like a spring bouncing with lots of energy. And you know what, it suits because she sure was full of boundless energy. And joy and love and fun and humour and light and kindness and talent. My grandma was one of the best friggin' people I have ever had the privilege to know, and we had such a beautiful, uncomplicated relationship. We'd call and catch up sometimes after long gaps of time, and those conversations were always full of excitement and laughter and curiosity and love. I can still hear her saying "Oh honey. Oh wow." when I'd share news. She was just so excited about everything -she loved brightly painted toenails and all things bright and cute and small and snuggly; ladybugs and bears and Winnie the Pooh and birds and her sweet black cat Purr, and of course, owls (and she gave me my first owl I ever collected). And she took lots of pictures of her travels and collected lots of little knick knacks and filled her lovely apartment with them and plastered the walls with family memories and memorabilia, and her apartment was always full of wonders to me - certainly anyone who's been to my house will realize that maybe I take after her more than I ever realized. ;) She lived totally independently in a 3 story walk up in Thunder Bay until her cancer diagnosis a few months ago, and even a few short years ago was still canoeing and tent camping with my dad. Talk about total life goals. One of Charlie's favorite stories to tell about her was from the first time they met, at my uncle Danny's cottage, when she was hauling a load of wood down the hill on her 80th birthday, and he asked if she needed help. She responded "Nope, but there's more wood up there for you!" A force to be reckoned with! She was always so kind and generous - she spent years making countless knitted bears to donate to her local hospital and to Doctors Without Borders, and my lucky kids would get their very own special 'grandma bears' whenever she'd send a care package. We even have our little family, including my dog, Carly, in 'grandma bear' form! I certainly have her to thank for my love of baking and cooking for my family - anyone who has ever had my butter tarts or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or ginger snap cookies rolled in sugar has her to thank. Those are her recipes, and her moving to Thunder Bay from Ottawa 24 years ago inspired me to start baking my own, so I never had to go without those sweet treats. Some of my fave memories too were when I was a kid and she was managing the Mayflower on Elgin - dad and I would pop by for a bite or a visit in her basement office, and head to Baskin Robbins for Tiger Tail ice cream afterwards. And her cool ass apartment with a balcony on Wilbrod at King Edward was totally where I wanted to live after university - it was always a fun place to pop by if I was at Rideau Centre with my friends, and I even lucked in a few times to some fresh baking or nuts and bolts. She seriously was cool as hell. Smart and funny and absolutely beautiful. She loved fashion and used to sew herself gorgeous pieces - I'm lucky enough to have 2 of those pieces right out of the 70s! I love that she was on Facebook for the past bunch of years, because she would get so excited about my sewing posts and was always one of my biggest cheerleaders. And her smile and laugh...two of my very favorite things in the whole world. She always had the biggest smile in any room, and a laugh that you'd never forget - I will carry it in my heart and memory always. Even in her last couple of weeks she was full of smiles and stories and even got a kick out of teasing my dad about some dirt on his window obscuring her lake view. I'm so grateful that she got to come to my high school grad, my wedding, and that I got to share my little family with her - she delighted in her great grandkids and always sent the best packages - always whimsically decorated with stickers and filled with goodies. And dang she was super fun to party with - she loved sharing a glass of red wine, or a rum and coke, or a gin and tonic...or port... well, my grandma loved sharing a bevvy. ;) She sure as heck loved her family, and even our pets - she was a dog treat baker extraordinaire. I have a million little memories and stories that I will cherish. I know it sounds silly, but I always felt like my grandma would outlive us all. She was always just so positive and had the most genuine joie de vivre of anyone I know; If that enthusiasm equaled time then she may have lived forever. And she sure will live forever in our hearts and memories, I know that. So while I'm over here heartbroken now, I know that I am really crazy lucky to have had 40 years with her, and that my family has so many special memories of her. I'm lucky to have a lifetime of photos and experiences, and that I got to tell her a million times that I love her. I honestly hope that I can be just like her when I grow up. Total goals. She was one of a kind, truly. Thanks for being my inspiration, Grandma Bungggggggg!
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Kathy Barton uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, August 5, 2021
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Gawley’s Gate, Ireland, 2017.
Joan and Mom - greatest travelling companions.
Best Aunt ever!
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Thursday, August 5, 2021
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Thursday, August 5, 2021
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Thursday, August 5, 2021
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Catherine posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Joan was a terrificl sister-in-law. We had so many wonderful family gatherings, and Joan's smile and laugh were infectious. You will be remembered fondly.
Love
Wayne & Cath
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Barbara posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Sincerest sympathies to you Dan and to your family. I only met your mom once but she seemed like a fine lady, fun and energetic! She raised you so she was a good woman!
With sympathy,
Dave and Barbara Johnston
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Carolyn Walsh uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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I met Joan and Audree on a group tour to Ireland in 2012. We had so much fun together, we formed a small travel group of 10 and went to Italy two years later. With her infectious smile and “joie de vivre”, Joan touched all of our hearts. I am so sorry she has passed, but happy that her final days were filled with love and laughter.
Here she is kissing the Blarney Stone at 80!
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Leslie noel posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Vic and I had the pleasure of meeting Joan at various times at St Vincent Lake in Alberta. Always a smile and a laugh and sometimes even a joyful song and dance.
Such a lovely lady who I am sure will be missed by many
Leslie and Vic Noel
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Donna & Maurice posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
I am so very fortunate to have met this wonderful women. She brought such Joy with her everywhere she went. My condolences to the family.
Donna & Maurice
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Madison uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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