September 10, 1938 – May 13, 2022

Myrna Gwendolyn (Gwen) McMaster nee Burgess

Our family lost a true matriarch when Gwen: Mom: Grandma: Gigi: slipped away from us to join the others that passed before her. She left with a smile on her face, the taste of a Manhattan on her lips, and three generations by her side at Kamloops Hospice.

Gwen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on Sept 10th 1938, as the middle child of five. She moved from the Prairies to the West Coast to be with her older sister Bev and her family in Delta, B.C. It was there she met the love of her life, Dick. Together they raised their family of five settling in Burnaby, B.C. In 1980 they relocated to the Interior of B.C. living out their golden years in Kamloops.

Mom was the epitome of the classic housewife; chief cook and bottle washer, taxi driver, counselor, disciplinarian, nurse, and friend. She was a woman of strength, tradition and family values and a great example of the glue that holds the family unit together as one. She transitioned easily to the role of grandma who attended as many concerts, recitals, sporting events and graduations as humanly possible. As great grandma, Gigi maintained a youthful exuberance she seemed to absorb from the younger generation. On top of all that she was an organized and diligent business woman, running Surrey Lake Fishing Camp often single handedly, balancing the books to the penny, cleaning cabins and smoking fish. She had a passion for travel, seeing distant lands and accepting the diversity of the planet from its people, creatures, and landscapes. That travel bug was encouraged and passed down to the subsequent generations.

It wouldn’t be fair not to acknowledge her role as partner, wife and best friend to her husband of 54 years, Dick. Her broken heart never completely healed over the five years since Dad’s passing. Luckily her heart was always open to make room for all the latest additions of family and friends. Together Dick and Gwen’s union was the envy of many and forged the framework that became the gold standard for all those who knew them.

She is survived by her 5 children, Doug (Nadene), Ron (Edwina), Greg, Kathleen (Bruce) and D’Arcy (Christa), and their respective families, 15 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren, and her sister, Joyce Baker.

She was predeceased by her husband Dick, sisters Bev and Marlyn and her brother Dan.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Kamloops Senior Village and Kamloops Hospice.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Kamloops Hospice or Alzheimers Society of B.C.

You may offer a message of condolence at Schoening Funeral Service.

• Date : 2022-05-13
• Location : Kamloops