HINGLEY – Gwen Donalda Hingley of Rolling Hills, beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend, passed away on April 14, 2019 at the age of 75 at the Brooks Health Center. She is survived by her son Len (Heather) of Rosemary, AB and their 3 children Erika, Gabe, and Jack, and son Jason of Calgary, AB; as well as brother Blaine (Edna) Russell of Halkirk, AB, sister Ruth Horvath of Creston, BC, brother Ron (Joan) Russell of Portage La Prairie, MB, sister Jan Braun of Vancouver, BC, sister Bonnie (Dennis) Ressler of Calgary, AB, brother Gordon (Jackie) Russell of Sperling, MB, sister-in law Kathy Russell of Carman, MB, and many more nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Webb and Alice Russell and her siblings Faye, Garry, Jim and Dale.
Gwen was born on March 8, 1944 in the farming community of Carman, MB. She was the middle child in a large family of 11 children. The importance of family was ever-present in the Russell clan and Gwen loved spending time with all her family throughout her life. Gwen moved to Turner Valley, AB to stay with her Uncle Jim and Aunt Ethel McInnis when she was in the 9th grade where she excelled in sports, continuing a life-long love of physical activity and the value of sport. After high school, she became a teacher, married Dave Hingley in 1971 and had two sons.
Gwen first came to the town of Rolling Hills in 1981 with her two boys in tow when she got a job as a teacher here, and she has had a lasting impact on this community since. She loved her home in Rolling Hills and loved gardening and doing home renovations; she always had projects on the go.
She was an avid golfer and curler and had many lasting friendships that began with these interests. She was one of the first members of the Rolling Hills Golf Club (founded in 1992) and has supported it throughout the years with her continued membership, tournaments and junior golf programs. Gwen’s involvement in the community didn’t end there as she was also a part of the community club, volunteered at the senior’s centre and helped in many other ways too numerous to count.
Gwen had a passion for teaching. In her later years as a substitute teacher she was known for remembering the names of all the kids she taught, even outside the classroom. She had a way of always being positive, respecting all students and taught with compassion. These traits made her a much sought after substitute in the Grasslands school district for many years.
Gwen will be most remembered for her infectious smile, her positivity, her love for her family and friends, and her love for teaching, golf and curling. If she saw someone she knew, she would always say hi; she loved people and she loved life.
Gwen was a beacon of light to those she came in touch with and the physical world just got a little dimmer with her passing. But she will live on forever in our memory, for all the love she gave will continue to influence everyone she touched. She will be dearly missed.
Celebration of Life service was held on April 18, 2019 at the Rolling Hills Community Hall with Debbie Daniels officiating. In memory of Gwen, memorial tributes may be made to the Prairie Rose Hospice Palliative Care Society, Brooks (Bag 300, 440 3rd St East, Brooks, AB T1R 1B3). For further information, to leave a message of condolence or to light a candle in memory of Gwen, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call us at (403) 501-1010.
