GWENDOLYN ANN HALE NELSON

November 10, 1943  ~  July 29, 2013Mrs. Gwendolyn Ann Hale Nelson passed away at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Monday, July 29, 2013, at the age of 69 years.  Gwen was born on November 10, 1943, in Prelate, Saskatchewan, the eldest daughter to Cecil and Catherine Hale.  She married Harold Nelson in Medicine Hat on November 7,1999.  She was previously married to David Davies, from 1965 to 1984.  Gwen spent most of her working years as a dedicated seamstress with Diane’s Designs.  Later on, she continued to work as a seamstress from her home, maintaining an impressive clientele.  She loved the theatre and was involved in many productions of musical theatre within Medicine Hat and the church community.  She was also an office administrator for the Medicine Hat Feeding Company and kept things sweet in the bakery at Perkins Family Restaurant.  Enjoying travelling together, Gwen and Harold met many new friends in the Family Paradise Campground in Ontario, and made their winter home in Wagner Park, Hot Springs, CA.  While travelling, she was always connected to the church community through her involvement in various women’s ministries.  Gwen was a loving, kind, compassionate, generous woman who was always there to lend a hand to those in need.  Those kindnesses were returned to her through the excellent care and attention she received from all the nurses and staff at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit and St. Joseph’s Hospice, and for this we extend our sincere appreciation!  Through her battle with cancer, Gwen never lost her sense of humour, love of people, and her God.  Gwen’s memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her husband, Harold;  son, Tyler (Terri);  daughters, Elan and Patty;  five grandchildren, Ashley (Cole), Dakotah, Alayshya, Kilian, and T.J. as well three great- grandchildren, Harley, Beau and Blake.  Gwen is survived by her mother, Catherine Hale; siblings, Terry (Linda) Hale, Sharon Wallace, Ruth (John) McIvor as well as a sister-in-law, Wendy Hale.  Also left to cherish Gwen’s memory are Harold’s sons and their families, Greg (Donna), Dennis (Brenda), and Brent (Teresa) Nelson.  She was predeceased by her father, Cecil, in 2001 and her brother, Ken, in 2005.  Interment will take place in the Lemsford Cemetery, Lemsford, Saskatchewan on Thursday, August 1, 2013, at 1:30 P.M.  A Celebration of Gwen’s life will be held at Temple Baptist Church, 606 – 7 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, August 2, 2013, at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Marcel Mitchell officiating.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com)  Those wishing to remember Gwen may do so through a donation to send a child to camp:  Pinecrest Baptist Bible Camp c/o Temple Baptist Church, 606 – 7 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4K8, or to the Canadian Cancer Society for GIST research, 102 Crestwood Square One, 1865 Dunmore Road S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1Z8.  Honoured to serve the family is COOK SOUTHLAND Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4.   Telephone:  403-527-6455.