Gwendoline May Burgess (Hurford) was born on January 22, 1923, in St. Mary’s Hospital, New Westminster, B.C., the eighth child of Harry and Ida Hurford.

Gwen was three years old when her mother died and then she resided at Mother Wilson’s foster home at 3538 Fleming Street (known as the Cedar Cottage area) in Vancouver while she was growing up. Her sisters Kay and Becky also resided at the same (foster) home while they were growing up. Their foster sister was Cora.

Gwen, after growing up in Vancouver, met and married Kenneth (“Ken”) James Burgess, originally from Montreal, on June 30, 1949, at St. Patrick’s church in Vancouver. After marriage, the happy couple moved to Toronto and resided in High Park. The first daughter to arrive was Judith Anne Burgess on June 11, 1950. They bought their first house on 15 Nagel Road in Toronto. Then along came Linda Mary May Burgess December 5, 1954, Jennifer Anne Burgess on December 17, 1956, and Laura Louise
Burgess on August 27, 1963. Ken and Gwen then moved to their second house on 16 Villata Gardens in 1966. Ken died of lung cancer in Toronto on May 15, 1970,

After graduating from high school and before marriage, Gwen worked at the Vancouver Sun. Following marriage to Ken, she was a homemaker for many years. Her exceptional creative side blossomed into her passion for cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, smocking, gardening and artistic gift wrapping. Following Ken’s death, she returned to bookkeeping, working at Aircraft Appliances and then Gay Lea Foods until retirement. In the early seventies, she was ahead of time by embracing a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and fitness. She took pleasure in her daily city hiking and aquacize classes at the gym.

Gwen immensely enjoyed shopping during retirement. She spoiled her seven grandchildren with generous loot bags for every occasion and holiday.

Ever in search for the perfect cup of coffee, Gwen frequented numerous coffee establishments until Tim Hortons became her favorite hangout.

Gwen passed away peacefully in her sleep at 6:25 a.m. July 2, 2018.

A memorial gathering will be held to celebrate Gwen's life on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 6pm-9pm at The Simple Alternative Toronto, 275 Lesmill Rd, North York, (416) 441-1580. In lieu of flowers please donate to Heart & Stroke Foundation