Obituary
Gwen Brosz (nee Mary Amanda Gwen Morrison), wife of the late Victor Brosz, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on July 24th, 2021 at her home in Ladysmith, BC — her home town for the last 30 years. She had become increasingly frail over the past two years and fractured her hip on July 1st, after which she was unable to leave her bed.
Gwen was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on Dec 22, 1927, third child of William (Bill) Morrison and Henrietta Eberly. Her older brothers were Jim and Ian. Bill was a United Church minister and the family moved several times over the years as he served in different communities. Gwen’s teenage years were spent in Peace River, a place which always remained dear to her. She completed her BEd at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, which was also where she had her first job — at an ice cream Revel factory.
In 1950 she took her second teaching assignment in the border town of Coutts, Alberta. There she met Victor Brosz, a fellow teacher, and they married in August 1951. Gwen suspended her teaching career to raise four children in Milk River, then Medicine Hat, and finally Calgary. During her time in Medicine Hat she played in several amateur theatre productions, which she loved. She resumed teaching briefly at Springbank, just west of Calgary, in 1969-71 and then returned to university to retrain as a school librarian, a role that really suited her. Her love of books, and her enthusiasm in promoting them, was life-long.
During her Calgary years (1966-1990) Gwen co-hosted with Vic a great many parties for the arts community and for the Scottish Country Dancing community. She will be long remembered for her laughter with fellow dancers Una, May, and Marge and her animated story telling. She was a great collector of stories. (And wool. And artwork, cookbooks, stones, wine bottles, chicken figurines, VHS tapes, stoneware mugs, sweaters…)
Gwen traveled widely with Victor and her children — two separate year-long tours through Europe and shorter trips to Taiwan, Australia, and Mexico. She had a strong interest in eastern spiritual disciplines and attended the Yasodhara Ashram at Nelson, BC for several months in 1990 after the death of her son Tyman. In 1996 she journeyed to India on a spiritual quest with her daughter Yvonne. In her later years at Ladysmith she was an active member of the spinning and weaving community, taught a small yoga class, was a member of poetry and singing groups, and a book club. Until 2015 she made regular trips back to Alberta to catch up with her extended family and many friends.
In her last years Gwen required daily support in order to remain in her own home. Without the many hours of care and company contributed by live-in caregivers, her granddaughters Ayla and Sara, and especially her daughter Yvonne, Gwen’s life would have been significantly diminished and shortened.
She is survived by her children David Brosz (Peggy), Roberta (Steve) Morgan, and Yvonne (Gordon) Brosz-Defoor, grandchildren Erin (Steen) Bray, Justin Morgan, Ayla Defoor (Marko), Sara Defoor (Aaron), Willem Brosz, Corinne Brosz and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Tyman Victor Brosz (1989), husband Victor Raymond Brosz (1999), grandson Colin Morgan (2017), and her brothers Jim Morrison and Ian Morrison.
A Celebration of Life is planned for September 18, at her house. Details to be finalized. Check www.evergreencremationcentre.com for contact information and arrangements. Cards can be sent C/O Evergreen Cremation Centre Box 1659 Ladysmith BC V9G1B2
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gwen Brosz December 22 1927 July 24 2021 (age 93)..
Death notice for the town of: Ladysmith, Province: Colombie britanique