Obituary of Gwen Coles

Gwendoline Joyce Coles (nee Robinson) was born September 7, 1940, in Darlington, England and passed away at the Killam Long Term Care Centre on October 19, 2023. Gwen was 83 years old.

Gwen was the daughter of Tommy and Gwen Robinson. Her mother, whom Gwen was named after, passed away when she was an infant. Gwen was raised by her Grandparents Norman and Annie Simpson in High Wycombe, England. As a child in England, she spent a lot of time with her Aunt Ruby, who’s son Ronnie Tullock was like a brother to her.

Gwen emigrated to California in 1957 and then to Toronto a year later. She worked at a bank in Toronto and lived with her family who had earlier emigrated from England. One of her co-workers set her up on a blind date with Jim Coles, whom she dated and then later married in 1967. Jim and Gwen moved to Calgary, AB after their marriage, where their children Lisa and Jamie were born.

Gwen was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. She was an avid knitter and great cook. The family moved to multiple places in Alberta and BC, and lived for over a year in Athens, Greece. Gwen and Jim then settled in Grande Prairie, Alberta in 1995 and lived there until 2016, when they moved to Sedgwick. Gwen lived out the last few years at the Killam Long Term Care Centre, where she peacefully passed away.

Gwen is survived by her loving husband Jim, daughter Lisa (Jon) and son Jamie (Lisa), grandson Alex, granddaughter Peyton, half-sister Valerie (Kelvin), her cousin Ronnie (Marjorie), brother-in-law Gary (Stephanie) and multiple nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father, grandparents, mother and father-in-law Jim and Jenny Coles, Aunts Ruby and Mona, and brother-in-law Tom Coles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gwen’s memory to the Killam Long Term Care Centre or the charity of donor’s choice.