Gwendoline Via's Obituary
Gwendoline Via passed away peacefully on the morning of October 12, 2006.Gwendoline Catherine Louisa Bunt was the eldest of 10 children, to James and Edith Bunt of Plymouth, England. She married John C. Wilkinson in 1937. Their daughter Violet was born in 1938. John was killed fighting in the war in Africa in 1942.Gwen was an active air raid warden and fire fighter during the bombings on Plymouth, England in WWII. She always said as long as she had her tin helmet on she felt Â"safeÂ". In Plymouth she met and married Clarence W. Via, an American soldier in 1943. Daughter, Yvonne was born in November of 1944.Gwen, Violet and Yvonne endured a 10-day ocean journey to the States in 1947. They lived in Virginia with ClarenceÂ's family until he finished his service in Italy. It was quite a culture shock for all of them and quite a memorable experience. The family moved to Oklahoma, Georgia and then returned to Virginia where Eugene and Elaine were born in 1949. Later they spent time in Kentucky, Tennessee and Worms, Germany. They eventually ended up at Fort Lewis and settled in Lakewood upon ClarenceÂ's retirement. Clarence passed away in 1988. Gwen moved to Lacey to live with her daughter Elaine and son-in-law John Bouscher.Gwennie was a colorful woman who enjoyed horse races and had a knack for winning. She loved her hot tea, cold beer and special desserts. She enjoyed family gatherings and was Â"QueenÂ" of her brood. She loved following news of the Royal Family in the tabloids and had her opinion of how the Prince and Queen were handling things.Gwendoline was a tough, sweet, funny woman who lived a full life. She gave birth to nine children but saw only four live. Her family has many wonderful stories to remember her by. She will always be in our hearts.She is survived by her children, Violet Boe, Yvonne Via and partner Barbara Pinney, Eugene Via and partner Valarie Bailie, Elaine Bouscher and husband John, former daughter-in-law Paula Via, her sisters Barbara and Kathleen, her brother Ronald, eight loving grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.Preceded in death by two grandsons.Services will be held on Saturday the 21st at 11 AM at Mountain View Funeral Home Garden Chapel in Lakewood. There will be a visitation prior to the service on Friday the 20th from 11AM to 9 PM.
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