Died peacefully at Mt. Sinai Hospital on May 10, 2021. She is survived by her parents, Leni (nee Posthumus) and Peter Vander Kooij, and her siblings Cynthia (Wally Boonstra) Vander Kooij, Andrea Vander Kooij, and Peter John (Lisa) Vander Kooij. Gwen was blessed to have two families who loved her deeply and worked together to support her. Gwen received 40 years of loving care and family life with Riky and Martin Veens, and Michael (Jenn) Veens, (Evan and Nathan), Melissa (Joel) Snider, (Levi, Owen, and Naomi) Joshua (Esther) Veens, (Jude, Wihla, and Marlowe) and Jonathan (Taylor) Veens. Gwen had two longstanding roommates who were close friends Mary Jane Loomans, and Sabrina Sciulli.
Gwen was especially proud to be an Aunt to Ariana (Michael) Christie, Luc Chhina, and Micah Chhina, and Kees and James Groombridge, and a Great Aunt to the newborn twins, Oscar and Axel Christie who she was recently delighted to meet and hold. Gwen enjoyed her work at Tim Hortons, were she was employed for twenty years. She also enjoyed enthusiastically participating in the programs and opportunities offered at Community Living Central York. Gwen sang with much joy and enthusiasm, together with her parents and Riky in the “VOJ Voices of Joy Choir”. Gwen touched so many lives with her light and will be greatly missed. In Gwen’s final week she wrote to us that she would be with Jesus soon. We love you Gwen and we know you are with Jesus and you are at peace.
A private memorial service will be held at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford followed by interment of ashes at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Livestreaming of the memorial service will be available for family and friends on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 2 p.m. A link will be provided at www.skwarchukfuneralhome.com.
In Gwendolyn’s memory donations may be made to Community Living Central York https://clcy.ca/ or Sunrise Pregnancy and Family Support Services https://www.sunriseuxbridge.com/