Her last words were unspoken. Having listened, quietly, to two of her sons decide to leave her bedside to go have “a little bite to eat”, she chose that small window of time to leave this world, sparing them the sadness of watching her take her last breath. That’s just the way she was. With mom, it was always family first.

“Gwenny” passed away peacefully, in the care of the wonderful staff of the Arborg Personal Care Home. She had just turned 97. Mom was predeceased in 1999 by her loving husband of 58 years, Einar; her parents Gunnar and Malla Einarson; brothers Ronald, Jon and Einar; sister Margaret; son-in-law Bob and grandson Jamie.

Standing tall and proud in her honour is her family: Vivian (Gerry), Ken (Sheila), Rod (Debbie) and Randy (Donna); her grandchildren Neil (Tammy), Lori (Kevin), Jeff (Jessica), Amber, Erica (Trempess), Lindsey (Jeff) and Derek (Amanda); her great grandchildren Bryce, Riley, Cassie, Sidney, Fergus, Leif, Gwenny, Freya, Sadie and Fletcher. We all loved her dearly.

She is also survived by sisters Gudrun, Steina, Thorunn, Sylvia and Alda; brothers Freeman and Barney; and a multitude of nieces and nephews who categorized her as an auntie who stood for all things good. A sentiment that would be shared by everyone who became her friend, and that list is a long one.

As children, mom guided us, stood by us, stood up for us and taught us about life, about our Icelandic heritage and respect for family. Mom and Dad had a love that inspired us, and a work ethic that forever leads us and our families.

Adoration is not an expressive enough word to describe the love she had for her grandchildren. Right into her final years, each new picture would bring a smile that would say a thousand words.

She was proud of her family and she was equally proud of her Hnausa roots. She was a gifted home-maker, baker and seamstress, taking care of family needs as well as dresses for several bridal parties. She was one of the great leaders back in the glory days of 4-H and Ladies Aid, and took that same spirit of community with us when we moved to Riverton in 1964, becoming a prominent fixture within the Women’s Institute, Curling Club and Lutheran Church.

In their retirement years, Mom and Dad competed with fellow seniors in provincial MSOS games, and the enjoyment they took away from those days was magical. They also did some travelling, with the highlight being their 1974 trip to Iceland. In between, they invested hundreds of hours in making our cottage property in Hnausa a family paradise.

In 1989 they moved to Transcona to be closer to family, and lived there until Dad’s passing in 1999. Mom then moved to Gimli where she enjoyed several wonderful years at the Waterfront Centre, before moving to Arborg Assisted Living in 2013, where she was able to rekindle a special bond with her brother Einar. After suffering a fall in 2016, she moved in to personal care.

The memories we have of her will never be forgotten. While our family property is famously known as Einar Ho, it could just as easily have been called Gudny Bae. It’s the place where she was born, and it always brought such happiness to her, to see how much the kids enjoy the fruits of her and dad’s hard work, vision and generosity.

Our entire family wishes to thank the staff of Arborg Personal Care and Arborg Assisted Living for the comfort and joy they provided in her final years.

A memorial service will be held next summer in Riverton.

Mom, we are overtaken by the sadness of losing you, but thankful that the qualities you instilled will be carried on by several generations of your family.
We will miss you immensely, but know that you are now back in Dad’s arms.
And the next dance will be a waltz.

Gota nott, elskan.