Obituary of Gwen Irene O'Rourke
O’ROURKE: On Friday 15th of November 2019 we sadly lost a courageous, determined and life-loving woman, Gwen (Clausius) O’Rourke, of Khiva (RR 3, Dashwood), age 67. She was extremely dedicated to her family, she loved her husband Pat with all her heart and never stopped showering her children and her grandchildren in love. To Gwen, family, friends and her community were everything. She loved to share her home and her hospitality with others, often organizing family gatherings, meals and celebrations on the family farm in Khiva, Ontario. She enjoyed welcoming people, giving thanks and sharing a smile, a laugh and a delicious meal with those who meant the most to her. She had a passion for travel and experiencing new exciting adventures with her family – from days at the beaches of Lake Huron with amazingly prepared picnics, to riding motorbikes in Vietnam, nights at the theatre, to sipping cocktails in Singapore. She truly lived, loved and enjoyed life to the fullest and will be dearly missed. Saying goodbye to her husband Pat and daughters Erin, Keriann and Meghan was immensely difficult. She is also survived by her sons-in-law Randy Helsdon, Kelso Beggs and her cherished grandchildren Claire, Atticus and Spencer. Dear sister and sister-in-law of Wayne Clausius of Grand Bend, Barbara and Jim Willis of Exeter, Gordon Kiker of Michigan, Mike and Louise O’Rourke of Spirit River, AB., Don and Julia O’Rourke of RR 3, Dashwood, Wayne and Barb O’Rourke of Chepstow, Glenn O’Rourke of Exeter, Joe and Betty O’Rourke of Atwood, Gerard and Sandy O’Rourke of Kitchener, Mary and Jim MacGregor of Exeter. Remembered by her nieces, nephews and their families. Predeceased by her parents Harvey Clausius and Ilene (Gerber) Pothoff, step-mother Mary Clausius father-in-law and mother-in-law Dennis and Clare (Dietrich) O’Rourke. At Gwen’s request, cremation will take place. Visitation will be held at the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood, on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Zurich on Friday, November 22, 2019 at 11 a.m. with visitation commencing at 10 a.m. Rev. Nadine Schroeder-Kranz officiating. Interment St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Zurich. A Celebration of Life and Luncheon will be held at Hessenland Inn, 72981 Bluewater Highway, Zurich to follow the interment. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the friends and family that did so much to help out and the wonderful staff, nurses and doctors at South Huron Hospital and London Health Sciences Centre (Victoria Hospital). They went out of their way to make Gwen comfortable and lovingly cared for her throughout her journey. Pat and family would very much like to receive your condolences, fond memories and stories of Gwen. In lieu of sending flowers or lighting candles, we would appreciate memorial donations to the South Huron Hospital Foundation (www.bit.ly/shhf-gwen) or Jessica’s House Residential Hospice – Huron County (www.bit.ly/jh-gwen).
