Obituary for Gwendoline Bidwell
Gwendoline Rachel (Jasper) Bidwell
October 13, 1927 to January 15, 2023
Gwendoline (widely known to many as Grandma Bidwell) passed peacefully in her 95th
year at the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital. Gwen was born in Yealmpton, Devon, United Kingdom. She was predeceased by her husband (the love of her life) Raymond Bidwell in 1956, and her brother Peter (Joyce). She is survived by her daughter Diana of Hampton, UK, and her son Stephen (Betty Bedard Bidwell) of Goderich, and her grandchildren Jessica (Derek), Alisha, and Richard Arbour Bedard. She is also
remembered by her niece Karen (Mike), and their children, Tom and Megan, nephew
Nigel and his family, and cousin Brian. Although Gwendoline’s English family was small, her community family of friends of all ages was extremely large and equally important to her. She maintained long-term friendships, some for more than 60 years.
Gwen immigrated to Canada in November, 1989 to be an active and involved grandmother to Jessica and Alisha. She became a Canadian citizen in 2003. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother and she was the absolute best. The role of grandmother extended beyond Jessica and Alisha and she is known by many as Grandma Bidwell, a title she lived up to with pride.
Gwen was a schoolteacher for 40 years in England, respected by her fellow teachers and students; she loved to teach children to read. She volunteered for 12 years at St. Mary’s School, where she tutored children one-on-one - that is why so many adults in Goderich still call her Grandma Bidwell. She played an active role supporting Stephen and Betty (Betamarsh Incorporated) for 30 years when they fostered children. The children and youth always demonstrated respect and appreciation for her wisdom and generosity. Betty often would say that Grandma Bidwell was a walking encyclopedia and she continued to share her wisdom and knowledge with the nurses and doctors when she was in the hospital.
Her strong Christian faith was an integral part of her life in England as well as in Goderich at St. George’s Anglican Church, where she was a devoted parishioner and an active member of the Mission Group.
Gwen was never idle and was always generous with her talents. Knitting was one of her passions. She was a member of the Fuzzy Knitters and taught knitting to individuals of all ages. Gwen knitted over 4,000 pneumonia vests for the Dr. Simone Charity in India, as well as countless bed mats/blankets from milk bags for Hats and Mats. Auntie Gwen
is well known in England, Canada, and New Zealand for her designer knitted dish cloths. Grandma Bidwell was also an avid gardener and birder; she knew every plant and bird by both common and scientific names. In addition, she was a member of the Women’s Institute, Probus and the Goderich Lawn Bowl Club (when it was active). She
was an avid lawn bowler in England, for the Hampshire County Team.
Diana wrote: Mom thank you for your strength, wisdom and being an inspirational woman. Stephen, Betty and Alisha honoured her wish to remain at home for as long as possible. She was thankful for their loving care and support through the last few months of her life. Gwendoline said "I have the best family and friends anyone could ever want. I am so fortunate." It is important also to make mention that Grandma Bidwell had a unique sense of humour that brought laughter and joy to all that encountered her.
Gwen’s family would like to thank Higgs Home Health Inc. and their fantastic staff for supporting Grandma Bidwell with her wish to remain home for as long as possible. In addition, we thank the medical teams at the Alexandra Marine General Hospital and the Maitland Valley Health Centre, who provided loving, caring support.
Gwendoline Bidwell’s family will receive friends on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Falconer Funeral Homes - Bluewater Chapel in Goderich, The Funeral Service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 87 North Street in Goderich on Saturday January 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Donations are appreciated for St. George’s Anglican Church and the Bayfield Feline Rescue. Thank you.
Messages of condolence for the Bidwell family are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com
October 13, 1927 to January 15, 2023
Gwendoline (widely known to many as Grandma Bidwell) passed peacefully in her 95th
year at the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital. Gwen was born in Yealmpton, Devon, United Kingdom. She was predeceased by her husband (the love of her life) Raymond Bidwell in 1956, and her brother Peter (Joyce). She is survived by her daughter Diana of Hampton, UK, and her son Stephen (Betty Bedard Bidwell) of Goderich, and her grandchildren Jessica (Derek), Alisha, and Richard Arbour Bedard. She is also
remembered by her niece Karen (Mike), and their children, Tom and Megan, nephew
Nigel and his family, and cousin Brian. Although Gwendoline’s English family was small, her community family of friends of all ages was extremely large and equally important to her. She maintained long-term friendships, some for more than 60 years.
Gwen immigrated to Canada in November, 1989 to be an active and involved grandmother to Jessica and Alisha. She became a Canadian citizen in 2003. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother and she was the absolute best. The role of grandmother extended beyond Jessica and Alisha and she is known by many as Grandma Bidwell, a title she lived up to with pride.
Gwen was a schoolteacher for 40 years in England, respected by her fellow teachers and students; she loved to teach children to read. She volunteered for 12 years at St. Mary’s School, where she tutored children one-on-one - that is why so many adults in Goderich still call her Grandma Bidwell. She played an active role supporting Stephen and Betty (Betamarsh Incorporated) for 30 years when they fostered children. The children and youth always demonstrated respect and appreciation for her wisdom and generosity. Betty often would say that Grandma Bidwell was a walking encyclopedia and she continued to share her wisdom and knowledge with the nurses and doctors when she was in the hospital.
Her strong Christian faith was an integral part of her life in England as well as in Goderich at St. George’s Anglican Church, where she was a devoted parishioner and an active member of the Mission Group.
Gwen was never idle and was always generous with her talents. Knitting was one of her passions. She was a member of the Fuzzy Knitters and taught knitting to individuals of all ages. Gwen knitted over 4,000 pneumonia vests for the Dr. Simone Charity in India, as well as countless bed mats/blankets from milk bags for Hats and Mats. Auntie Gwen
is well known in England, Canada, and New Zealand for her designer knitted dish cloths. Grandma Bidwell was also an avid gardener and birder; she knew every plant and bird by both common and scientific names. In addition, she was a member of the Women’s Institute, Probus and the Goderich Lawn Bowl Club (when it was active). She
was an avid lawn bowler in England, for the Hampshire County Team.
Diana wrote: Mom thank you for your strength, wisdom and being an inspirational woman. Stephen, Betty and Alisha honoured her wish to remain at home for as long as possible. She was thankful for their loving care and support through the last few months of her life. Gwendoline said "I have the best family and friends anyone could ever want. I am so fortunate." It is important also to make mention that Grandma Bidwell had a unique sense of humour that brought laughter and joy to all that encountered her.
Gwen’s family would like to thank Higgs Home Health Inc. and their fantastic staff for supporting Grandma Bidwell with her wish to remain home for as long as possible. In addition, we thank the medical teams at the Alexandra Marine General Hospital and the Maitland Valley Health Centre, who provided loving, caring support.
Gwendoline Bidwell’s family will receive friends on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Falconer Funeral Homes - Bluewater Chapel in Goderich, The Funeral Service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 87 North Street in Goderich on Saturday January 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Donations are appreciated for St. George’s Anglican Church and the Bayfield Feline Rescue. Thank you.
Messages of condolence for the Bidwell family are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com