Obituary
Eunice Gorman
1921 – 2021
Eunice Gorman (nee Alves) was born August 23, 1921 in Vancouver, and passed away August 16, 2021, 24 days after her 100th birthday. As the eldest of four children born to Hector and Eunice Alves, Eunice saw many changes in her life. She experienced the hardships of the Great Depression, the uncertainties of World War II, and witnessed space exploration and changes in technology beyond anything she could have imagined.
Eunice did exceptionally well in school, and was accelerated through her classes, graduating from high school at the age of 16. She then went to work in the office of the American Can Company, and throughout her life, told stories of her fond memories of that time. She met her future husband, Ross Gorman in Vancouver and after their marriage on May 17, 1946, the couple settled in Glenrosa, which is now part of West Kelowna. Life in Glenrosa was markedly different for Eunice, she quickly learned to adapt to outdoor plumbing, no running water and going to Westbank to use the only phone in town.
She was clearly a country girl at heart, and embraced life as an orchardist. The couple had a large garden, orchards with apples, cherries and peaches, as well as a few cows and chickens. Eunice loved to preserve fruit and vegetables, and spent countless hours canning, freezing and preserving. Long after the family was grown, she continued this tradition. Her children always said she was “born before her time”. She was a firm believer in reducing, reusing and recycling – long before it was in vogue. She was an avid health food advocate, and loved creating healthy meals.
Life took a significant change when nearly all of their fruit trees died or were severely damaged in the winter of 1949/50. In 1951, Ross and his brother John, started making fruit boxes to bring in some income while they waited for their orchards to be renewed. The box making business turned into apple bins and then into a sawmill. During her lifetime, Gorman Bros. Lumber expanded into the Gorman Group, with plants in Westbank, Canoe, Revelstoke, Lumby and Oroville, WA.
Eunice did the company’s bookkeeping for many years. Throughout this time she would drive to Kelowna for night school classes, the first of which was basic bookkeeping. As the mill grew in size, she stepped back from the office for a few years, but after a devastating fire in 1969, she was back in the office, helping get the company on its feet again.
During these busy years, Eunice had an open door policy. Her friends from Vancouver would send their children to work at the mill in the summer, and they would live in the Gorman house. She also welcomed long term boarders, foster children and other children who needed a place to live for a time. Beginning in the early 1970s and through to the late 1990s, Eunice operated a Christian bookstore, first in Westbank, and then from her home office.
Eunice and Ross enjoyed traveling and visited many countries. However, she was always happiest when home surrounded by family. Eunice had a deep faith and was a committed Christian. She loved teaching Sunday School and leading women’s Bible Studies. She was never content to simply follow a lesson guideline, she always brought in a historical perspective to her lessons. She was very well read and loved her extensive library.
Eunice had a goal of turning 100, and was delighted to enjoy a family celebration with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved watching the great grandchildren play games and smiled continuously for the camera during the party, but the highlight was the letter of congratulations from the Queen.
Eunice was predeceased by her husband Ross in 2014. She has six children, Ron (Jenifer), Esther (Andrew), Carolyn, Marjorie (John), Mary (Doug), Louise (Nick), 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021.
Arrangements in care of Everden Rust Funeral Services, West Kelowna Arrangement Centre, 250-768-8925.
Condolences may be shared through www.everdenrust.com.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Eunice Alice Gorman August 23 1921

September 16 2021..

everden rust funeral services & cremation

Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique

avis deces Eunice Alice Gorman August 23 1921

September 16 2021

avis mortuaire Eunice Alice Gorman August 23 1921

September 16 2021