Gwynne Foster departed peacefully on February 14, 2020 at Madawaska
Valley Palliative Care, Barry’s Bay, in her 96th year. Predeceased by
her beloved husband William Wells (Bill) Foster, she leaves behind her
son David (Louise Proulx) and daughter Lauren (Jim MacLeod), her
grandchildren Fiona Foster (Etan Muskat), Owen Foster (Stephanie
Lingard), Lee MacLeod and Skye MacLeod (Matt MacNeil),
and greatgrandchildren Nina Rose Muskat and William Muskat.
Born April 25, 1924, in Montreal West, to Charles William Williams and
Elizabeth Whiting Philp, Gwynne was the youngest of four siblings. She
worked for Defence Industries Limited (1942-1944) before joining the
Navy and served with the WRCNS from 1944 to 1946. Gwynne and Bill
were married October 9, 1948, at Divinity Hall at McGill University, and
raised their family in Montreal’s West Island. Earning a B. Ed. from McGill
in 1974, Gwynne taught kindergarten, worked with the Baldwin Cartier
school board as a special eduction teacher in both elementary and
high school, volunteered with the Quebec Liberal Party (and started
the Women’s Liberal Association in Pointe Claire), and began working
in adult literacy with People, Words & Change in Ottawa. After retiring
with Bill in 1983 to their dream log house in Schutt, Ontario, Gwynne
volunteered as a literacy tutor with adults and served as the chair of
Literacy Link of Eastern Ontario. When she and Bill moved to Barry’s Bay in 2000, Gwynne continued as an active community member and leader,
making important contributions to the Opeongo Seniors’ Centre, the
Council on Aging, Barry’s Bay & Area Home Support, and numerous other
groups. Gwynne has been the recipient of several awards in recognition
of her extraordinary work, including the Frances Lever Memorial Award,
the Ontario Seniors Achievement Award, a Lieutenant Governor’s Award
and a Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Gwynne enjoyed her regular Friday morning breakfasts with the Barry’s
Bay Belles, Friday suppers at the Legion, weekly drop-in for TOPS/ the
GROUP, and in the past had been part of the community choir.
Gwynne was a bright light in the world: curious, creative, fun, tireless in
support of others, and deeply compassionate. She will be missed by her
community, her many friends and her loving family. A memorial service
will be held at the Opeongo Senior Centre on May 30 at 1 p.m.
The family would like to thank the Board and staff of Barry’s Bay and Area
Home Support, as well as Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care,
and doctors Harris and Meeking, for the excellent
care that Gwynne received.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gwynne’s memory can be made to Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care via madawaskavalleyhospicepalliativecare.com
or by calling (613)-756-3045 ex 217.