Obituary for Gwendolyn Fox Lawman (Sowden)
Gwendolyn Lawman, (July 3, 1939 - Oct. 13, 2022)
Gwen passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, October 13 at Rapelje Lodge where she had been living for the past five years with dementia. Beloved mother of Sarah (Kevin) Cavanagh, Helen (Geoff) French, and Tony (Lauren) Lawman and adored by grandchildren Claire, Alastair, Grace, Malcolm, and Ava. Survived by her sister, Joyce, and extended family in England and Australia. Predeceased by her husband, Roy, in 2012. Gwen and Roy left England with their young family in 1967, emigrating to Canada and making the Old Glenridge neighbourhood of St. Catharines their home for over 50 years. Gwen loved a good conversation and, rain or shine, began every day with an early-morning walk in Burgoyne Woods, exchanging news and views with her dog-walking friends. She was one of the trailblazing women employed by the Eaton’s department store who spent months on the picket line in the mid-1980s fighting for retail workers’ labour rights. After returning to school, she became a medical receptionist, and enjoyed working for a local obstetrician for many years. She was passionate about nature and animals, providing a home to countless stray cats and dogs, and was an active member of Niagara Action for Animals. She and Roy loved music and theatre, attending jazz concerts, and relishing their annual visits to the Stratford Festival. A volunteer set painter at Garden City Productions, Gwen was an enthusiastic artist who was never without her easel and paint box on family camping trips. She enjoyed pottery, knitting, sewing, and quilting, inspiring her children and grandchildren with her many talents. Gwen’s boundless energy, spark, and passion for life will always be remembered. The family deeply appreciates the caring staff at Rapelje Lodge who were so kind to Gwen in her final years. If desired, donations in Gwen’s memory may be made to Niagara Action for Animals, Rapelje Lodge, or an animal charity of your choosing.
Gwen passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, October 13 at Rapelje Lodge where she had been living for the past five years with dementia. Beloved mother of Sarah (Kevin) Cavanagh, Helen (Geoff) French, and Tony (Lauren) Lawman and adored by grandchildren Claire, Alastair, Grace, Malcolm, and Ava. Survived by her sister, Joyce, and extended family in England and Australia. Predeceased by her husband, Roy, in 2012. Gwen and Roy left England with their young family in 1967, emigrating to Canada and making the Old Glenridge neighbourhood of St. Catharines their home for over 50 years. Gwen loved a good conversation and, rain or shine, began every day with an early-morning walk in Burgoyne Woods, exchanging news and views with her dog-walking friends. She was one of the trailblazing women employed by the Eaton’s department store who spent months on the picket line in the mid-1980s fighting for retail workers’ labour rights. After returning to school, she became a medical receptionist, and enjoyed working for a local obstetrician for many years. She was passionate about nature and animals, providing a home to countless stray cats and dogs, and was an active member of Niagara Action for Animals. She and Roy loved music and theatre, attending jazz concerts, and relishing their annual visits to the Stratford Festival. A volunteer set painter at Garden City Productions, Gwen was an enthusiastic artist who was never without her easel and paint box on family camping trips. She enjoyed pottery, knitting, sewing, and quilting, inspiring her children and grandchildren with her many talents. Gwen’s boundless energy, spark, and passion for life will always be remembered. The family deeply appreciates the caring staff at Rapelje Lodge who were so kind to Gwen in her final years. If desired, donations in Gwen’s memory may be made to Niagara Action for Animals, Rapelje Lodge, or an animal charity of your choosing.