Obituary of Gwendolyn Mary Askew

Gwendolyn Mary (Gwen) Askew passed away at the Bow Crest Care Center on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007 at the age of 88 years from complications following a stroke. Gwen was born in Calgary, September 21, 1919. In her youth, Gwen lived in Hutton and Nakusp in British Columbia and in Calgary where she attended Western Canada High School. Gwen was a student at The University of Alberta and at Queen’s University. She was briefly employed by the then Bank of Commerce. On January 28, 1944, in Bellville, ON, Gwen married F/Lt James Askew of the RAF, with whom she would have a son, Michael, born in 1948, and would enjoy sixty-one years of marriage. After a short stay in Guilford, BC, Gwen and her family returned to Calgary in 1951 to build a home in which Gwen would live for the next fifty-six years. Gwen was an active member of the parent-teacher programs at William Reid Elementary School, King Edward Junior High School and Central and Western Canada High Schools. She was a long-time parishioner of Christ Church and served as a member and officer of the Women’s Guild and of the Alter Guild. Gwen and James enjoyed traveling around Canada and the United States, to Great Britain, and on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, through the Panama Canal, to the Far East, and on the Mississippi River. Gwen was a member of The Glencoe Club where she enjoyed bowling with her husband and badminton with her son, and in her later years, many wonderful lunches with friends. Gwen and James also enjoyed the fellowship at the Westside Seniors Group and the Aircrew Association. Her many friends will remember Gwen for her genuinely friendly nature, warm smile, and for her great love for and devotion to her family. Gwen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Leslie Askew of Strongsville, OH, sisters-in-law, Jessie Howarth of Calgary and May Askew of London, England, nephews, Ian Howarth of Calgary, and Michael Hollow of Great Britain, nieces Linda Osterlin of Ladysmith, BC, and Penny Askew, Brenda Yee-King, Patricia Legg and Jacqueline Keylock, all of Great Britain. Gwen was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Florence Howarth, brother, Charles L. Howarth, and uncle and aunt, James and Rosemaye Broomfield all of Calgary, and In-Laws, Henry Askew, Robert and Alice Bevan, and Kenneth and Eileen Hollow, all of Great Britain. Funeral Services will be held at Christ Church Elbow Park (3602 – 8th Street S.W.) on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. No flowers, please. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Bethany Lifeline 1001 – 17th Street, N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2E5. In living memory of Gwendolyn Askew, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.