On Friday, January 28, 2022, Merrilyn Gudmundson passed away peacefully at home. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Kerry, and Kent (Teri),  granddaughter Svanna, sister Jeanie, brother Lorne (Lise), in-laws and many nieces and nephews.

 

Merrilyn is predeceased by her husband, J. Marvin Gudmundson and both parents, Stuart, and Hazel McLarty

 

Merrilyn was raised on the family farm near Cartwright, Manitoba where she had the opportunity to be active in the 4-H Beef and Sewing clubs. Following high school, Merrilyn began a career as a nurse. While she did enjoy nursing, her focus changed in 1972 with the birth of her first son, Kerry. Wanting to dedicate as much time as possible to her family, she chose to be a homemaker and care for her young son.

 

In 1974, Merrilyn and Marvin welcomed Kent into the world, and she continued to be a proud stay-at-home mother, caring for her two children.

 

Being from a hard-working family, however, Merrilyn was not one to sit still. So, while caring for her children, she began creating unique stuffed animals and her venture into the world of craft sales began. Known for her beautiful stuffed mice, she was also the creator of the cute Cuddly Ugly stuffed animal.

 

After years of raising children and working craft sales, she began to look for something different. With her kids growing up and needing her home less and less, she began a new career at Sears Canada, selling sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. She was proud of her job and worked hard to become one of the best salespeople in the store, winning many sales achievement awards.

 

An avid gardener, Merrilyn treated her neighbours to a display of overflowing colourful planter displays each summer. Merrilyn loved to spend hours looking at her plants and caring for them. They brought her such joy and were always beautiful.

 

She was a creative cook and was known for her decoratively displayed fruit and vegetable platters, which she generously shared. Always willing to try something new, she was continuously searching for a new recipe to try.

 

Merrilyn loved friends and family. She enjoyed going to the Charleswood Community Church every Sunday, and when she was unable to attend, she enjoyed the live streams of the service. When the “church ladies” would come over to her home to sing for her, she was always ecstatic and would speak of how much she enjoyed the songs for days and days after.

 

She was keen on keeping track of what was going on with the lives of everyone in her family. She loved to hear about what all her nieces and nephews and their kids were up to and re-telling the delightful stories to anyone who would listen. She loved being with family and promoted as many family gatherings as she could.

 

Kent and Teri would like to extend a huge thank you and appreciation to Kent’s brother and Merrilyn’s eldest son, Kerry. Without you, she would not have had the quality of life she had. You cared for her, doing cleaning, shopping, and cooking, and ensured that she would never be alone. Your big heart truly made her last few years easier, and we know she was profoundly grateful for you. She would often tell people how much you did and how much you cared for her. She was truly proud of you and loved you very, very much.

 

The family would also like to thank Debbie, who would often stop in for a chat and to water flowers, Mary-Lou who would take mom on many appointments, her “church family” who were often a source of joy and inspiration for her and all her family and friends who loved this amazing woman.

 

In lieu of flowers, consideration of a donation to Faith Bible Camp would be appreciated.

 

Once again, the angels shall sing
For another woman has received her wings