Muriel Gwynneth Scott passed away peacefully on May 29, 2021 at the Huron Hospice. After being hospitalized for more than two months at Seaforth and Clinton hospitals, her final downward turn in health started on the first anniversary of Bill’s passing on May 22.
Gwen was born on March 15 (the Ides of March), 1937, the second of 3 daughters of Winnifred and Rev. J. Stanley Glen, Presbyterian minister and later Principal of Knox College at University of Toronto. As the daughter of a minister she moved a lot in her childhood. The Glen family eventually moved to a beautiful property in Thornhill where their father built his daughters a cottage in the backyard, wired with electricity, that they could use. It also served as his office. Gwen and her sister Cathy were athletic in their youth and played basketball and other sports. Gwen enrolled in the nursing program at Toronto Western Hospital and met her future husband Bill of Seaforth at a church youth group dinner one night when they helped with the clean up and he was washing dishes — a task that virtually disappeared for Bill in their marriage but impressed his future bride at the time. The couple was married on September 17, 1960 in a ceremony at a new Presbyterian Church in Thornhill officiated by Rev. Glen, Gwen’s father.
The couple moved to Ottawa while Bill was completing his Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and working for the National Research Council (NRC). They had their first two sons while living in Manotick, an Ottawa suburb (Jim, 1963 and Dave, 1965). After moving back to Seaforth so Bill could help manage the family poultry farm, Gwen gave birth to her third son, Bruce, in 1967. Gwen had a busy household to manage with 3 active boys and a husband consumed by his work and hobbies. For escapes from their young boys, Bill and Gwen travelled to Mexico, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, often attending poultry conventions on these trips. They travelled together later to Australia, Greece and other destinations.
When the boys were all in elementary school, Gwen started nursing again. She worked at the Seaforth Medical Clinic, the Seaforth Manor, Huron County Health Unit and other nursing homes and health care centres in her career. She also taught the nurses aide course when Conestoga College had a satellite campus in Vanastra. She was a caring mother who made frequent visits to the E.R. for her boys’ broken bones, stitches and other mishaps.
Gwen was a naturally caring person who had a contagious smile and laugh. She loved comedies and it was always great family fun watching the Carol Burnett Show and Mary Tyler Moore with Gwen. She was very supportive of her family and the community over the years. She volunteered with the Lions Club to help with the annual Elimination Draw and Dinner, and worked for Elections Canada as a volunteer several times.
Gwen was an avid reader, along with Bill. Reading was always encouraged in the household. She also liked to paint in her free time, a passion she learned from her mother. Gwen liked to garden when her grandchildren were young and they often helped her plant vegetables and flowers on the farm. She was a supporting and loving mother, a loving grandmother who liked to spoil her grandchildren and while her health allowed, she loved swimming in her pool, a love that started as a child camping with her family and later when she worked as a lifeguard at the Thornhill pool near their home as a teenager. It was a great point of pride for Gwen to mark the new millennium in 2000 by participating in a team triathlon at the Stratford YMCA. Gwen did the swimming, Dave did the cycling and Jim finished strongly with the running to earn second place in the family category. Gwen was 63 then. Around the same time, she also competed in the Ontario and Canada Senior Games in swimming and did well for her age. She was an avid sports fan and particularly loved cheering for her Jays and Raptors and knew the rosters better than her sons. She recently shared a story that her father took her and his sisters to a Leafs game at Maple Leaf Gardens when they were younger, one of Bruce’s favourite stories.
Gwen really loved her “card ladies” group in Seaforth who got together weekly throughout the recent years until the pandemic made those meetings impossible. That social interaction helped keep her spirits young and mind sharp. It was a great source of friendship and support that she greatly valued.
Gwen has joined Bill now a year after his passing. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers-in-law, George Collard and Ramsay Cook, and survived by her sisters Eleanor Cook of Toronto and Cathy Collard of Bracebridge, sister-in-law Mary Smith (Wayne) of London and brother-in-law John Scott of Seaforth.
She will be greatly missed by her three sons and their families: Jim and Jill Scott, Grace Spiro (Scott, Milli, Lincoln, new great-grandchild Parker James), Jake Scott; Dave Scott and Becky Bannerman, Zach (Jen) and Tom; Bruce and Susan Scott, Sophie and Luke.
Honouring Gwen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial donations in Gwen’s name can be made to the Seaforth Hospital Foundation, Clinton Public Hospital Foundation or Huron Hospice Residence. A celebration of Bill and Gwen’s lives will be held September 17, 2021 at the Seaforth Golf Course.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Terry and Jill Johnston
Always a smile and a little hop to her step. Sorry for your loss Scott families.
Maureen Spittal
Jim,Dave and Bruce,What a wonderful tribute for your beloved Mom Gwen.We want you to know how much we valued her friendship through the years and shall miss her terribly.Take care and God bless, Love Maureen and Peter
Ron & Theresa Murray
To Jim, Dave& Bruce 7 Families! Thinking of you in the loss of a dear mother! What a beautiful tribute to a great lady! Treasure her memories! Love & Prayers! Ron & Theresa Murray & Lads!
Gwen O'Rourke
So Sorry to learn of Gwen’s passing. She was always so pleasant to have around many times at the clinic and other places we met. Your will miss her terribly
Carolanne Doig
Dave and all the members of the Scott families and Gwen’s many friends – I offer my sincerest sympathy at this time. Gwen was a part of the fabric of our town and her contributions working in our medical institutions and volunteering for our organizations will long be appreciated. Bill and Gwen are together now and we are fortunate to have known them while they were with us.
Don and Maja Dodds
Sincere condolences to the Scott family
Ken and Elaine DeCorte
Jim, Dave and Bruce: Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother. What a beautiful story of her life.
Ken and Elaine DeCorte
Sheila Peacock
Thinking of you and your family and holding you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Maureen and Merv Agar
Dave and family,
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your mom but what wonderful memories you have of your mother! These memories will be cherished by everyone and passed along to your children. We hope they help you during this sad time as you say your goodbyes.
Maureen and Merv
Keith Murray and Cindy Partridge
We are sorry for the loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone at this time.
Bob and Betty Beuttenmiller
Cherish your memories . God bless all of you.
Sandra and Bob Fisher
Our sympathies to the Scott Family. I remember playing volleyball with your Mom and Dad at the Seaforth Public School. She was a little competitive if I remember correctly and definitely did not like spikes!! A lovely lady. Thinking of you all.
Bob and Sandy
Bryan and Lynda Vincent
To Jim, Dave, Bruce and the whole family, we are so sorry for you loss. What a great set of parents you enjoyed. Their commitment to family and the whole Seaforth Community is something we can all appreciate. We will miss Gwen at the many Lions functions each year. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time!
Bryan and Lynda Vincent
Doug and Debbie Procter
My sincere condolences to Jim, Dave and Bruce and families on the loss of your mother. The obit tells us a lot about the kind of person that she was and the good memories that you can cherish.
Connie & Mike Marion
Sympathies to Dave and the rest of the Scott family. Sorry to hear of mom’s passing. Sending hugs to all of you!
Maureen Wildfong
Whenever you met Gwen on the street she always had that special smile and soft spoken. Thinking of each and everyone and hoping all the great memories last forever. A lot of great history in Seaforth with your parents. Sending hugs to each and everyone
Yvonne Turkenburg
So sorry for you loss Jim. Our sincere condolences to you and your family! Yvonne and Mark
Ann (Rivers) Preszcator
Dear Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Ruth & John Snell
Sincere condolences to Gwen’s sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gwen always had the sweetest smile and never complained even though we could see she was not doing well. She was such a gentle, quiet person, seldom talked about herself or her family and when she did we all knew how proud she was of each and every one of you. She was the first to initiate the card ladies and I think it’s over 20 years since we had our first game. It kept us all connected for many years. She will be missed, but not forgotten. Rest In Peace sweet lady.
Harry and Ruth Parker
Jim and Jill and all the Scott families, So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She sounds like a wonderful lady and is leaving a lot of good memories that you will treasure through the years.
John Dickson
Sincere Condolences to Jim plus all family and friends. What a wonderful life story and legacy and thank you so very much for sharing them with us. Please know you are in my thoughts…John Dickson, Owen Sound
Mark Demsey
Our condolences, Jim, Jill, Grace and Jake. You’ve had a year full of losses. We hope you gain comfort in the flow of life as your children and grandchildren take on life and make new memories to complement the old. We look forward to seeing you on the beach.
Dorothea Williamson
Our family offer our sincere Sympathy to Jim, Dave & Bruce & their family’s . Cherish all your great memories and hold them close to your heart ! Ron & Dorothea Williamson Terry Kevin & Denise .
Kathie Jordan
What a lovely tribute to your Mom. Sending you my deepest sympathy during this very sad time. Kathie Jordan (Hulzebos)
Rick Kloss
Sincere condolences to Jim, Dave, Bruce and their families.
Paul and Joan Spittal
Our sincere condolences. Joan and I have great memories of Gwen and Bill. I was at their wedding in Thirnhill.
Dick Burgess
My sympathies to Dave, Jim and Bruce and families on the passing of your mother. It’s been a privilege to know Gwen and Bill for many years, and to teach their sons. Many fond memories.
Cathy Elliott
Dave, Jim, Bruce and families, it was my great pleasure to know and work with Gwen and Bill through the Lions Club. Gwen worked quietly in the background for as long as she was able. She enjoyed attending Lions functions with the other wives and was a great support to our club. So many happy years and memories at the farm can never be erased. Each time you drive up the lane way, I know the warmth of her love will welcome you home. My sincere sympathy goes out to all of you.
Helen Southgate & Brian Oldfield
Dave, Becky, Zach & Tom, we send our sincere condolences at this sad time. Your mother/grandmother was a dear lady, so gentle and kind and she will be greatly missed, but all who knew her will have fond memories. Sending hugs to all of you.
Jane Morton
This is such sad news but Gwen’s life brings back so many happy memories.
Jane