Obituary - Gwendolyn Gogolinski

December 14, 1930 ~ April 21, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Gwendolyn Ethel Gogolinski on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the age of 95 years.

She is survived by her four children: Pauline (Ralph), James (Dianne), Genevieve (Rick) and Alan. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Erin, Jenna, Drew (Scott), Mason (Aren), Tye (Kenzie), Levi (Jordan), Kenzie, Sabin (Carlye), Daniel (Danya), Joelle (James), Katelyn (Nik), Althea (Evan), Julia (Clay) and 16 great-grandchildren: Bridget, Ivy, Renn, Avery, Olive, Zara, Neesa, Yorick, Desmond, Isla, Stella, Bronwyn, Colette, Theo, June and Ady.

She was predeceased by her husband, Paul in November 1998 as well as her sister, Mildred in April 2020.

Gwendolyn Ethel Gogolinski was born in Medicine Hat on December 14, 1930, to Ernest and Dorothea Vasselin and was raised on the family farm 7.5 miles south of Bow Island where she lived for her first 18 years.

Gwen went to school at the Landsdell School which was half a mile from her home for Grades 1 - 5. Then she attended school in Bow Island for Grades 6 – 12.

In 1949, Gwen attended Normal Teacher’s College in Calgary. The county gave her a bursary of $453.00 with the agreement that she teach school in the county for 2 years following her course.

Gwen taught 27 students from Grades 1 - 6 in Manyberries from 1949 – 1950. Her wage was $114.98 per month out of which she had to pay $50.00 per month room and board. She met her husband to be, Paul, at a local dance. They were married the following year on October 20, 1951, at the Fifth Avenue United Church in Medicine Hat. Paul had to bail Gwen out of her County bursary commitment by paying half of the bursary monies back.

Gwen and Paul raised their 4 children on the family farm 6 miles west of Orion. Gwen so enjoyed living on the farm and was loathe to leave it when the time came in her later years!

She kept very busy raising her brood as well as gardening, canning, freezing, sewing, quilting as well as numerous other projects such as making soap and making root beer. There was never a dull moment around Gwen who had what could be only be described as having a “spicy personality”. She didn’t suffer whiners or fools lightly. One of her favourite sayings was “Pretend you’re camping”. Her children were never allowed to say “I’m bored”. Gwen was also an amazing cook; and she spent hours playing lively tunes on the piano. Genealogy became her obsession around 1994 and she researched volumes of valuable ancestral information.

Gwen was actively involved with the Women’s Institute, the Manyberries Home and School Association and the Orion Community Club.

Gwen loved to travel. Gwen and Paul enjoyed trips to Nova Scotia and Wisconsin. They travelled back and forth to Kelowna and Kenora numerous times visiting their daughters and celebrating all of their important events. She continued to keep this pace up even after Paul’s passing. In 2001, Gwen and her childhood chum, Doreen Sailer had a fantastic time visiting England, Wales, Scotland and Jersey Island for three weeks. Gwen was a master at organizing social events both big and small and she took her beloved friends with her on many adventures.

In 1995, Paul and Gwen retired to their new home in Medicine Hat where Gwen continued to pursue her genealogy interests. She had a beautiful flower garden as well as a vegetable garden, both under the supervision of her son, Alan. She continued to prepare amazing elaborate meals and hosted Sunday dinner most every week for local family members as well as any others that happened to be in town. She loved to use her family as guinea pigs as she experimented with new recipes. She did this up to the week she moved out of her home in 2024, when she was 93 years old!

Gwen resided in The Wellington for her final years where she appreciated the excellent care that she was given there. Her personal caregiver, Aimee Rose also assisted Gwen for her last three years and Aimee’s visits were a highlight of Gwen’s week.

At Gwen’s request there will be no formal funeral, but the family will be hosting a Come and Go celebration of Gwen’s life at Reflections Reception Facility, 937 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for family and friends.

Memorial donations in Gwen’s name may be made to the Salvation Army, 164 Stratton Way S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 3R3.