Gwendolyn’s Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of the late Gwendolyn Clementine Stagg (nee Billard) of Boswarlos announce her sudden passing at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the age of 95 years, following a full, energetic, and most interesting life.
She leaves to sadly mourn her loss: three sons: Fred (Cheryl) of Port au Port, Barry (Shelley) of Toronto, and Randy of Pouch Cove; nine grandchildren: Parker (Kim) Stagg and children Michael, Alan and Evan; Trevor Stagg and children Wyatt and Jessie; Gina Heisz (Doug Dwyer) and children Julian, Nathan, and Bastian; Marsha Stagg-Cooke; Tyler (Julie) Marche and children Kaitlin and Michael; Alison (Dave) Crognale and children Leah and Emme; Aaron (Irene) Stagg and children Ethan and Jacob; Paul (Natalie) Stagg; Crystal Griffiths and children Sean, Victoria, Andrea, Ashley, and Holly; sister Daphne Zengler; special niece Jean (Jack) James and their daughters Gwen and Jackie; her cherished buddy Kate Rowe (Bill Bindon); and a large circle of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Gwen was predeceased by: husband Chesley Stagg (1981); parents Archibald & Elizabeth Billard of Grand Bruit; infant grandson Andrew Stagg; sisters: Marjorie (Roy) Miles and Ada (Andrew) Billard; brothers: Ed (Cedella), John (Audrey), Ross (Dorothy), and Don (Mona); special nephew Gordon Myles; and grandson-in-law Darwyn Cooke.
Gwen’s ancestors were Hugenots who found their way from France to the safety of the south coast of Newfoundland where they established themselves as fish harvesters, primarily out of areas around Grand Bruit. She was a resilient, intelligent, proud, and independent daughter of that rugged and still isolated coast. Shortly after her marriage to Ches, they settled to raise a family in Boswarlos, where she spent some seventy-five years as a “going concern”. Following Ches’ passing, a seasonal employment opportunity took her outside this province for a number of years during the winter months, and she returned to Boswarlos each summer to the solitude of her gardening.
Gwen was widely read and particularly enjoyed quoting the great poets at length. In her mid-eighties she decided to publish her own story, a witty retrospective of her early life, suitably titled “In Retrospect”, so that her children and grandchildren would know more about her remarkable experiences.
Everyone Gwen met was immediately considered a friend. The numbers grew like Topsy especially during the years that she worked for what is now known as Stats Canada, as she interviewed hundreds of people in homes throughout the area.
One of her most amazing feats came in being a breast cancer survivor twice: first at the age of 25, before Barry and Randy were born; and the second time at age 77.
In her later years her leisure time was spent primarily in her flower garden and taking long walks along the shoreline at Boswarlos during the summers, skiing during the long winter months, and producing hundreds of her intricately-patterned Irish Aran sweaters and afghans to warm all of those who expressed an interest in having one! And, of course there were many hours spent in fellowship with a large circle of friends at the United Church in Stephenville, as well as at the Seniors’ Club on Father Joy’s Road in Port au Port, where she helped cater to many functions, and where she proved herself well able to be the last person to leave the dance floor. She became an avid Blue Jays fan after developing a life-long interest in the game beginning when Fred and Barry played for the Port au Port Vikings.
The world will be a much less energetic place without her, but “Gwen” stories will live on forever!
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Bernice and her kind and caring staff at the Silverwood Manor in Kippens, where Gwen spent the past one and one half years quite enjoying herself especially when musical entertainment was provided. Thanks also to Dr. Hough and the Emergency Room staff at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital for their kindness and compassion on September 21, 2020.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small private service will be held at this time; but the family plans to hold a celebration of her very full and happy life as soon as possible after restrictions are lifted.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 26th at 2:00 PM from the United Church, Stephenville with interment to follow at the United Cemetery, Boswarlos.
As expressions of sympathy, donations in Gwen’s memory may be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. cancercarefoundation.ca/donate/
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gwendolyn Clementine Stagg September 21 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Stephenville, Province: T-N