It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Gwendollyn (Gwen) Effie Lacey of Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the age of 96 years. Gwen was born on December 9, 1924, at Climax, Saskatchewan to Fred and Acelia Richards, the third of six children. As a little girl, Gwen had a deep love for horses and fondly recounted stories of riding with her friend Maxine. In the spring of 1940, when Gwen was 16, the family moved into the town of Orkney. In the fall of that year Gwen met the love of her life, James (Jim) Sidney Lacey. Gwen completed her grade 12 and went on to business school in Regina at Balfour Tech while Jim served in the army. They married on September 5, 1943, while Jim was on furlough. When the war was over, they began their married life by purchasing a local hardware store in Orkney that included a post office and telephone switchboard to which Gwen soon added a floral business. This was a great passion for her and over the years, she made countless beautiful arrangements for weddings, funerals, and many other special occasions. Gwen had a love for gardening, canning, sewing, and hairdressing and she was highly involved in community and church affairs. Jim and Gwen raised two children – a son David and a daughter Larilyn – and they were wonderful parents. Having entrepreneurial spirits, Jim and Gwen soon ventured into yet another area and bought land and began farming. The last of their business endeavors came with the purchase of the Orkney Grocery Store. It was going to close, and Gwen and Jim had a strong heart to keep the community alive, so they purchased it and moved their existing business to this new location. Gwen and Jim purchased a winter home in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they enjoyed golf, painting, and most importantly, time with friends and family. Gwen loved company and their door was always open – she could whip up a beautiful meal at a minute’s notice. They retired and moved to Maple Creek in 1984, where Jim passed on August 18, 2001. In 2008, Gwen made Red Deer her final home and enjoyed being a part of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren’s lives. Gwen is lovingly remembered by her son, David Lacey (Wendy) of Regina, Saskatchewan, her daughter, Larilyn Mitchell of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, her four grandchildren, her four great grandchildren and her two great-great grandchildren, sisters in law Nancy, Vera, and Joyce and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her parents Fred and Acelia, her brothers Harry, Lorne, and Dwayne, her sisters Evelyn (in infancy) and Adrienne, and numerous brothers and sisters in law. A funeral service will be held at the Maple Creek Family Church, 211 – 5 Avenue, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan on Friday, August 13, 2021. If desired, Memorial Donations in Gwen’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Home of Hope at www.homeofhope.ca. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements in care of:

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer),

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2021-08-13
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com