GWENDOLYNN LUCY CROWN

GWENDOLYNN LUCY CROWN (nee POWELL) September 23, 1914 - February 6, 2016 The family of Gwendolynn Lucy Crown sadly announces her peaceful passing on February 6, 2016 at Wyndham Manor, Oakville, at the age of 101. Gwen was predeceased by the love of her life Walter Horace Crown (1913 - 1998), her parents Herbert and Elizabeth Powell, her brother Edward Powell, her sister Muriel (Hampton) and 2 young siblings Ruth Powell and George Powell. Remembering her life and love are her 3 sons and their wives; Robert W. (Judith) Crown of Saco, Maine, Peter H. (Elizabeth) Crown of Edmonton, Alberta, and David F. (Carol) Crown of Oakville, Ontario; six grandchildren Andrew, Warren, Michael, Jennifer, Emily and Katherine; 3 great-grandchildren Quinn, Olivia and Fynn; brother Arthur (Barbara) Powell and sister Audrey (Jack) Cowell; sisters-in-law Mary Dix and Ina McMaster of Scarborough and numerous nieces and nephews and other special friends. Gwen was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Her caring, her empathy for all who knew her and her vigor in all of her undertakings touched and inspired her family and friends. In her final days, she reflected that she knew that life did not go on forever and that she had always tried to stay positive and focus on what was good in any situation. She mentioned that negativity and negative attitudes "just bring you down", take the joy out of living and that we have a choice to be positive or not. She lived as she believed. From her teen years, she was an active member of the Anglican Church of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff, assuming many duties at the request of the Ministers and as a volunteer. She was also a frequent participant in local electoral affairs. Gwen joined the Home and School Association at Birch Cliff Public School in 1948 and rose from Association President to Executive Vice President of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations, being awarded the Federation's Sapphire Circle for achievement. She also developed and led leadership development workshops and camps for the Federation's members. Her other achievements included co-authoring a leadership manual with the Ontario Department of Education and receiving a diploma in leadership from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Gwen eventually represented the National Home and School Federation at the Overseas Book Centre, supplying books to children in developing countries. Following her retirement from a local law firm and her husband's stroke in 1977, she began to actively promote the stroke recovery work of the March of Dimes, receiving citations for her dedication. Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of Gwen's life will be held at the Church of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff, March 3rd; gathering at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m. and reception at 12:00 noon. A family interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the March of Dimes, supporting stroke recovery, or to a charity of one's choice.