Mary “Jeanette” Gemmell
Mary “Jeanette” Gemmell, aged 93 years of Moose Jaw, SK passed away on Tuesday, October 26th, 2021. Jeanette was born May 15th, 1928 in Old Wives District, SK. She attended Lake School, Victoria School, and Moose Jaw Technical High School (Peacock).
Jeanette married Norman on Christmas Eve in 1948 and built a house on Ross St. E. to raise their family. Norman and Jeanette founded Gemmell’s Shoes in 1953 on Athabasca St. E. in Moose Jaw. They worked side by side growing the business and raising their family of five.
After fire destroyed the business in 1975, they converted the building into a four-plex apartment. They restored a house into their new home on 6th Ave. E. Jeanette was always known for being a hard worker and held jobs at IGA Linsley’s Grocery, Ricki’s Ladies Wear, Joyner’s shoe department, and then returned to the family shoe store when her son Swanee re-opened on Main St. N. in 1984.
Norman and Jeanette moved to Con’s Corner near Crestwynd, SK endeavoring on raising horses, chickens, ducks, and turkeys, as well as gardening and cleaning many eggs. They moved back to Moose Jaw in 1997.
Jeanette was a beautiful, well-dressed, and stylish woman, always wearing her heels. She was a great cook, hosting family meals for numerous occasions and baked many, many years of bread, buns, cheese biscuits, cinnamon buns and pies.
Many years were enjoyed at the cabin at Buffalo Pound Lake. They traveled to many shoe buying shows over the years and a vacation in Hawaii. She also enjoyed visiting her son Lonny and his family in New Zealand, as well as numerous trips to visit her daughters Connie and Bonnie and their growing families in Alberta.
Norman and Jeanette were both long-time members of the Optimist/Opti-Mrs Club. She was always busy and active, and belonged to a ladies bowling league for many years. Jeanette enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and crafts.
She was predeceased by her husband, Norman in 1998; parents, George and Fanny Stevenson; brothers, Douglas (Wilma) and George Jr. “Slim”; sister, Grace Ivers; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Victor) Stover; sons-in-law, Timothy Schafer and Edwin Mort; nephew, Robert Stevenson; and niece, Judy Stover-Lallier. Jeanette will be lovingly remembered by her children: Constance “Connie” Mort of Carseland, AB, Lonny (Sue) of Auckland, New Zealand, Bonnie Schafer of Calgary, AB, Swanee (Heather) of Moose Jaw, SK, and Dawn (Jon) Young of Moose Jaw, SK. She was a proud grandmother to 15 grandchildren: Edward (Colleen) Mort of Calgary, AB, Ian (Lynn) Mort of Strathmore, AB, Candice (Troy Webber), Steve (Sarah) Gemmell, Samantha (Dan Wright), Robert Gemmell (Kate Muldrew), all in New Zealand, Mary Downey (Marco Casagrande), Lori (Tony) Montagnese, Michael Schafer, all of Calgary, AB, Nigel (Simone) Gemmell, Todd Gemmell, Douglas Young (Kristen Rathgeber), all of Moose Jaw, SK, Adam Young (Katie Brickman-Young) of Saskatoon, SK, Kenneth Young (Alison Huynink Young) of Regina, SK and Andrea Young of Moose Jaw, SK. She was also a great-grandmother to 18. She will also be remembered by her brother-in-law, Edward Ivers; sister-in-law, Joan (Wes) Wankle; nieces: Beverley Stevenson (Andre Laporte), Lee Bozak, and Lyn (Nick) Machuik; nephews, Jordan Ivers, Darrell (Judy) Ivers, Scott Ivers, and Gordon Stevenson; as well as many cousins and family friends.
Thank you to the caring and supportive staff of Moose Jaw Providence Place – Edgar Hall Unit.
A Celebration of Jeanette’s Life will be held at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Jeanette’s name may be made to Canadian Heart and Stroke, 110-1525 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R9 www.canadianheartandstroke.ca. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Most heartfelt condolences to Jeanette’s family. The Lynds & Stevenson families go back a long way. As Jeanettes parents & ours where best of friends. She was a well respected lady and a very obliging sales lady. Rest In Peace. Cherish your memories of her.
Swanee and Heather , we are so sorry for the loss of your mom. We send our thoughts and prayers that you may be comforted at this sad time. You were blessed to have your mom for so many years. May your heart be filled with many great memories as you mourn her loss.
To the Gemmell Family; Our deepest condolences to you on Jeannette’s passing. We shopped for many years in the Gemmell’s shoe store, right from when they first opened. Jeannette was always so accommodating and helpful, we enjoyed having a visit as we were buying shoes. Jeannette and Norm were the very first people we saw when we arrived at our hotel in Hawaii. We all had a good laugh about what a small world it was. Hopefully, the many wonderful memories you have will sustain you during this difficult time.
To the Gemmell clan, sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a lovely lady.
Remember the good times and Jeanette with be with you always. Jeanette was a beautiful person and always interested in what was happening in your life.
Our deepest sympathies to all of the Gemmell families on the loss of your Mom. Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Our sincerest condolences to Jeanette’s family. She was such a beautiful woman, inside and out. We are sure she will be greatly missed by all of you and her many friends.
Prayers and Hugs to family. This Lady was very special to me. She was like a Mom to me when I was child and didn’t have one. She was an amazing Wife, Mom, Friend, Sister, Daughter, Grand daughter, Neighbour. She will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.
My heartfelt condolences!! Jeanette was special to a lot of people in many ways , especially with us when we travelled to Moose Jaw to visit . A jewel in many ways that will keep on shining in those that she touched !
To All of the Gemmell’s and Families
I always caringly knew your Mom as Toots and I am so very sorry to hear of her passing.
Over the many, many years I have known her, she was always so kind and genuine.
I know you will all miss her so much and so will all of us who knew her.
My condolences to you all on your loss.
Rest in peace.
Connie, Lonny, Bonnie, Swanee & Dawn and families, my deepest condolences. Your Mother was a wonderful lady and will always be remembered. She was always so helpful when shopping at Gemmell’s Shoes and she made everyone feel like a friend.
I know that you will have many wonderful memories to cherish and know that she will be missed. Sincerest sympathy.
To the Gemmell Family sorry for your loss Your Mother was a Fine Lady and allways made a person feel welcome.
The Gemmell family. Sorry to hear of Jeanette’s passing. A great lady
Swanee and the Gemmell Family:
My heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother. I will always remember her fitting me with shoes in the Athabasca Street East store.
Brian and Susan Kefford