It is with great sadness that we share that Gwen Elizabeth Doherty, wife, mother, nana, daughter, sister and friend, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday June 10th, 2019 at Victoria Hospital in London at the age of 59. Gwen will be forever loved and remembered by her husband and best friend Keith, her mother Joan Bernard (predeceased by Howard Bernard), her daughters, Kate Martin (Joe Martin), Amber Riehl (Ryan Riehl), and Emma Hunking (Brad Hunking), her stepdaughters, Ashley Howard (Brad Howard) and Paige Doherty (Corey Stewart), her sisters Diane Diehl (Dave Diehl), Mary Ann Thompson (Jeff Thompson) and Cindy Kikkert (Harvey Kikkert), as well as her numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends in Huron County and around the world. Gwen will always be remembered as the best Nana by her 10 hooligans Nolan, Vivian, Cynthia, Violet, Nina, Nash, Willa, Whitney, Rhys and Evelyn.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Centre, 84675 Bluewater Hwy, Goderich, ON N7A 3X9 at 2:30pm on Saturday June 22, 2019.
We are gathering at Petrie Park in Port Albert, 4 Central Wellington St, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Twp, ON N7A 3X9 (behind the Port Albert General Store) at 5:30pm to share memories and celebrate Gwen’s life (in case of inclement weather family and friends will be received at the Kingsbridge Centre). At 8:00pm we will parade down to the beach to pipe down the sun in honour of Gwen.
Donations can be made to Petrie Park in Gwen’s name care of The Port Albert and District Recreational Society (PADRS).
In addition to these details, Gwen’s family would like you to consider the following. We know that Gwen was loved by many and we anticipate a large crowd. Parking may be an issue at both venues. Please carpool if possible and be prepared to walk a few minutes from your car. We ask that parking in front of The Port Albert General Store and at the beach be reserved for those with mobility needs.
We understand that the way we have chosen to celebrate Gwen will make for a long day and people may have distances to travel, accessibility issues, and young families to care for. We want everyone to be comfortable and enjoy this celebration. Feel free to take a break from the planned events in order change, eat, hydrate and celebrate Gwen in your own way. Or simply attend the part of the celebration that is most important to you.
Shared by Holly Stasiuk
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Marlowe and Debbie Austin
Keith and girls, please accept our deepest condolences on Gwen’s passing. We hope all your amazing memories help with your broken hearts.
wayne bell
Deepest sympathy for your loss.
Wayne Bell and Wendy Phillips
Natalie and Tom and family Van Diepenbeek
We are so saddened to hear of Gwen’s passing. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out and a very important part of her community. Our thoughts are with the entire family during this sad time. She will be missed greatly by many. Our deepest condolences.
Mark Sully
Kate, Amber and Emma,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. Our thoughts are with all of you and your families.
Cherish the memories and celebrate your Mom’s life.
In deepest sympathy,
Jill and Mark Sully
Brenda Hickson
Keith and family
Wishing you peace to bring comfort and the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Brenda and Larry
Grace McLean-Thompson
Dear Joan
My sincere condolences to you and your family
Grace
Holly Stasiuk
To Keith & family,
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you at this difficult time. Our beautiful island, Antigua, brought our friendships together and I will miss Gwen. I will miss her positive, fun-loving spirit and laughter and joyous nature. Her playing the bagpipes at sunset at Jolly Beach while I swam in the warm , tranquil waves, will be a moment in time never to be forgotten. Eternal memories! Until we meet again!
Saskatoon, Sk buddies,
Holly Stasiuk
Grace McLean-Thompson
Joan
My sincere condolences to you and your family
Hilda and Murray Wales
Joan, sending you hugs and prayers.
Stan & Ellen Connelly
We don’t have words to say how badly we feel — but have
so many ” memories & giggles ” we have shared over the years. She will be missed by so many.
Michele Fretz (Brouwers)
Gwen had the smile that lit up the Port, the laugh that we heard down the beach, the concern that helped her community, the love that filled her grandkids, the pipes that will forever remind me of sunsets at Port Albert. Our hearts go out to you all for your loss. Michele (Brouwers) and Eric Fretz, Victoria, BC
Sally and David Walker
Gwen was one of the first people we got to know when we moved to Goderich in 1975. Such a positive, warm and friendly person! We send our sincere condolences to all her family.
David Leek
Keith, my heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family at this sad time, but I’m mindful of the wonderful memories you all must have of Gwen which will be of great comfort to you all. For myself, though I’ve been an infrequent visitor to the Port, there have been 37 hugs from Gwen over the 38 months of visits in 14 years, that I will treasure; but sunset’s shan’t be the same without Gwen.
Ken & Sylvia mcgee
Keith
To you and all the family.
Like the others listed here, we feel so sorry for you. Too young to go and too much pain top have to endure.
However, you will cherish all the great memories.
Rochelle & Steven Doherty
Keith, family and friends our condolences. Gwen was always a part of our summer, that friendly smile, collecting beach glass, perhaps a drink or two on the beach,always inviting our boys to swim in front of the house and of course watching Gwen pipe down the sun. You will be missed but always remembered. ❤️❤️
Karen & Harry White/Broek
Always in our hearts; never forgotten….
Live, Laugh and be Merry….Always ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Gordon & Irma Pryce
Keith and all the family; Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all. She always had her Dad’s smile. Sincerest sympathy to one and all. We will all miss her dearly. Blessings to all. Gordon & Irma Pryce
Pat Johnston
Emma, Brad and the family of Gwen
Words, however kind, can’t mend your heartache: but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friend’s.
She fought a long hard fight and now soars with the angels.
Pat and Bob
Mark MacLeod
On behalf of myself, my wife Jennifer, and Clinton Legion Pipes and Drums, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all. Whether it was a parade, playing on the beach, or just a social gathering Gwen was a shining light to us all. Her youthful spirit was unmatched, and we will miss her immensely.
Jane, Claude (Greg), Benjamin,Claire Anne Gregoire
It has been a privilege to know Gwen. We wish the family strength in this time of grieving.
Donna Muir
Keith and entire family. So sorry to hear that Gwen passed away. She was a wonderful woman and so full of life. She touched so many people in a great way. Jim and Donna Muir
Barb Hayden
My thoughts & prayers are with you all as you grieve. Gwen was the ‘sunshine’ wherever she went, with her smile that would light up a room. She gave freely of her talent of playing the bagpipes at the Port Albert cemetery service, which was much appreciated. She will be missed by so many. Gone way to soon, but she sure gave her cancer illness a good run, and she’s now at peace, and deserving rest. May you all find strength to get through the days ahead, taking one day at a time.
Jim Mulhern
My condolence to Keith and family. Gewn waa a great lady – always with a smile.
Jim Mulhern
DIANE AND WAYNE YANTKE
Dear Keith and family…We were both so sad to hear of Gwen’s passing. You were both so courageous through this whole struggle, but we will still have many fond memories to fall back on and that’s what counts. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
joanne RollinsS
So sorry to hear of Gwen’s passing.She will be missed by everyone at Port Albert. I will miss seeing her leading the pipe band to the beach at sunset. Such a great person and a beautiful smile. My sympathies.
John & Mickie Hamilton
Keith and family. We are so sorry to hear of Gwen’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family at this most difficult time. We are expressing our deepest condolences.
Maureen Redmond
My best memory of Gwen was sitting in the beach chairs at the beach, watching the kids swim, run, play and yell. We had so many laughs and MaryAnne and Cyndy would be their just telling stories or bad jokes. Miss you Gwen. God bless and Thanks for the many memories and best of all, your friendship. Moe Redmond
Gordon & Irma Pryce
Dear Keith and family; It seems like another link in the family is gone. Somehow I think Gwen will forever be in the sunsets. She sure had her fathers smile and wit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Love always. Gordon & Irma
Mary Ann and Bill Tucker
Our favourite time with Gwen was in Antigua on a sunset cruise with Gwen piping down the sun!! We were honoured to be on Gwen’s island and counted In with her many friends. Love you Gwen. Will always remember you