Gwendolyn Eunice Griffith, 83, departed this earth to join the heavenly choir on March 25th, 2019. The celebration of her life will be held at the Pine Hills Funeral Centre.

Gwendolyn, the daughter of the late Edward and Martha Boyce, was born on December 22nd, 1935 in Chalky Mount, St. Andrew. Despite not being afforded the opportunity to pursue a formal education beyond primary school, she was able to make it through trying circumstances to provide for her six children. Gwen held the position of bus conductor at the Trotman Bus Company where she met her late husband, Samuel Griffith Sr. on one of her bus routes. Mr. Griffith was impressed with the manner in which Gwendolyn dealt with an unruly passenger without using any “French”. This lead to their friendship and eventually marriage. Gwen was also a talented seamstress and was known for her fashion sense. In addition to her talents, she was an outstanding business woman and proprietor of The Beer House Restaurant, and Gwen's Bar. If you wanted the best pudding and souse, ham cutters and fishcakes in Halls Road, then Gwen’s Bar was the place to be on Fridays and Saturdays.

Under the sponsorship of her eldest son Ralph, Gwen migrated to Canada in 1987 with her two youngest children Michael and Suzan to ensure that they had a good post-secondary education and all the opportunities that come with it. While in Canada she pursued a completely new endeavor in manufacturing. It was not easy at first, due to the fact that Gwen was a successful entrepreneur for many years. Being the business woman that she was, she took the opportunity to work the night shift at Toronto Plastics in Scarborough to her advantage, and operated a daycare business during the day. Within a few years of being settled in Canada, she decided to provide Jean and Anne with the same opportunities as her two youngest, while Ricky remained in Barbados to manage her business affairs.

Her beautiful life will always be cherished by her children: Pastor Ralph Boyce, Anne Bourne-Sobers, Jean Smith, Michael Griffith and Suzan Griffith-Heczko of Canada, and Robert Smith of Barbados; surviving siblings Cecil and Edna; families-in-law Jane Grant-Griffith, Susan Boyce, Gloria Taylor-Boyce, Tomáš Heczko, and Ricardo Sobers. Also eternally cherished by her many nieces and nephews from Barbados, England and Canada, including the Devonishes - Monica, Errol, Courtney, Arlene, Anita, Hildred, Norma, Lila, Maureen, Stephen, Jacqui and Rachel; the Boyces - Tanya, Kerri, Joyce, Jean, Dennis, Elmer, and George; the Yearwoods - Frank, Vere, Shawn, Judy and Judith; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren - Kim, Carol-Ann, Ralph Jr., Isabelle, Tremaine, Adrian, Samantha, Samuel Jr, Darius, Devonte, Jason, Dorissa, Jalen, Nova-Belle, Brianna and Brandon.

Our mother, matriarch and hero lived a wonderful life; may she now rest in peace and rise in glory!

(In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you please make a donation to Westney Heights Baptist Church by clicking the donation button below)