Hagey, Gwen (nee Donaghy)
July 1, 1931 – November 28, 2016

Gwen Hagey went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Monday, November 28, 2016 at the age of 85. Gwen is survived by her husband Glen Hagey; four children Ken Hagey, Jim (Lisa) Hagey, Deb (Jim) Way and Brenda Hagey; seven grandchildren Steven, Jason, Jeremy (Paula), Kelly, Tyler, Robert and Morgan (Lisa); great-grandchildren Mati, Gabriel and Ally.

Gwen was predeceased by her father Daniel Alexander Donaghy in 1985; her mom Freda Alice Donaghy (nee Lobb) in 1991; her brother James Matthew Donaghy in 1994; and her son Daniel Glen Hagey who passed away just two months prior to her passing on September 26, 2016.

On July 1, 1931, a little baby girl was born to Dan and Freda Donaghy, on their farm in Hillsdown, Alberta (a county East of Red Deer). The baby girl was not expected to live, weighing just under four pounds. But Freda was determined not to let that happen and would keep the baby warm by placing her in a roaster and sitting it on the oven door to keep her warm. Freda fell in love with a name that she once saw while reading a romance book and decided to name her baby girl, Gwendollynne. If that wasn't enough, Dan and Freda added the first names of both of the grandmothers, which made the baby's full name Gewndollynne Mary Alice Donaghy. The baby was born with a club foot. When Gwen was old enough, her foot was broken and placed in a cast. This made learning to walk difficult for the toddler, but that make this little girl, Gwen, tough, strong and determined. A few weeks before Gwen's first birthday her little brother, Jim was born on June 10, 1932.

Dan and Freda moved their family from the farm to Red Deer, so Gwen could attend High School and she graduated in 1949. Gwen's greatest memory of her childhood was when she gave her heart to her Lord and Saviour at the age of seven. She also found that she was blessed with a great singing voice and would sing at Church. Gwen started leading Praise and worship at the age of fourteen and was asked to sing specials at weddings, funerals and special occasions.

Freda, Gwen's mother, liked playing softball and was on a team playing at the local baseball diamond. One night they were short an umpire and asked a stranger in the stands, if he could umpire for them. He agreed. Well, he had the nerve to call Freda out when she tried to steal third plate and left second plate too soon. This did not leave a good impression of the stranger in Freda's mind. A few weeks later, to Freda's horror, Gwen brought this stranger home, so her parents could meet Gwen's new beau. Little did Freda know that this was the best decision that Gwen ever made because he was the best son-in-law anyone could ask for. This was the beginning of Glen and Gwen.

Gwen would never forget the night when she came home form a date with Glen and her mother, Freda ordered them to get to bed. Freda thought they were Gwen's brother Jim, coming home from work and was ordering him to get to bed. Glen almost answered back, "Your bed or mine."

Glen and Gwen were married on August 23, 1950. Gwen was nineteen years old. Gwen went to work at Deer Home for two and a half years. That is where she learned to hate lamb. Gwen worked in the kitchen and they made lamb for patients a lot. She hated the smell of it cooking and would not eat lamb again.

Glen and Gwen were blessed with the birth of their first son Kenneth William Hagey on September 29, 1951, then thirteen months later with a second son, Daniel Glen Hagey on March 25, 1953. A third son, James Gordon Hagey was born eighteen months later on May 27, 1954. Gwen had her hands full chasing three energetic little boys. On June 19, 1957, Gwen got her princess, Debra Lynn Alice Hagey (Way). Deb came so fast that Gwen gave birth to her in the elevator on the way up to the maternity ward. Gwen was just glad that Deb was not born in the back of the car.

Glen And Gwen moved their family from Red Deer to Calgary, Alberta in 1964. Thinking diapers and baby bottles were long gone, Gwen found herself expecting their fifth child. On August 10, 1968, Gwen's second daughter Brenda Jeanne Hagey was born.

She worked in many of the local Co-op and Safeway Stores, giving out food sample of the newest products the store had required. Gwen was an excellent food demonstrator. The store managers would tease her, that she could sell ice to the Eskimos. Gwen's sales were always the best . The stock boys hated when she worked in their store because they were going to have to work hard that day. No slacking off for them. In the latter years. Gwen worked mostly at the Crowfoot Safeway, in the bakery, meat and deli departments.

One of Gwen's greatest joys were her grandsons, Steven, Jason, Jeremy (Paula), Robert, Kelly, Morgan (Lisa) and Tyler. She enjoyed watching them grow up and mature through the years. They have blessed her with two great-grandsons, Mati and Gabriel and one great-granddaughter, Ally.

Paula loves sharing the story of the first time she met grandma. Glen, Gwen and Brenda were in Red Deer when they accidentally ran into Ken. Ken was in Red Deer helping his son Jeremy move his belongings from there to Edmonton. Ken wanted Grandpa and Grandma to meet Jeremy's new girlfriend, so we met later at the local A&W. We decided to sit outside at the picnic table. Jeremy was introducing Paula to Grandma, when Gwen lifted her leg over the bench and let out a loud fart. Everything went quiet for a moment and then Paula burst out laughing and Jeremy went bright red. Gwen said "nice to meet you", lifted her leg and farted again. That made Paula laugh hard and Jeremy turn even a deeper shade of red. That is when Paula knew she liked this women.

Gwen was an animal lover and enjoyed petting, hugging and cuddling her two pets, Kandy, the dog and Peanut, the cat. "Grandma" was Peanut's peep. He laid with her in the hospital and then the hospice right to the end. Peanut misses her a lot and howls for her every night. Another joy was a recent addition to the family, Frankie. Frankie is Deb's dog and visited Gwen a few times while she was sick. Frankie loved giving Grandma "kisses".

Gwen loved reading. Even when she lost her eyesight, she would listen to books on CD. Gwen was a huge Flames Fan. She watched every game faithfully. Gwen loved swimming and floated like a rubber duck. Gwen was happy being in water up to her neck. Gwen liked to travel. It did not matter if it was to Ontario, B.C. , Yellowknife or the U.S., she enjoyed seeing new things, shopping and visiting family and friends. Glen, Gwen and family spent many hours playing cards. Some of her favorite games were Bid Whist, Crib, Hands and Foot, and Phase 10. When playing Phase 10, Gwen always used the skip card on Glen and he would lose his turn. Glen always asked her, "why me, Brenda is the one way out ahead", her response would be , "because I get arise out of you". Other than hockey, Gwen was not a big television watcher, but she liked to watch American Ninja Warrior, or as she called it "Ninja Turtles".

The last four years, Gwen was taking part in an Adult Day Program at Bowmanor. Gwen loved the group. Gwen would get up and be excited about going every Thursday and seeing the different ones in the group. She loved how much fun they were and how they made her laugh. She also loved the soup.

Gwen was thankful for the wonderful care she got from the two ladies from CBI, Hannah and Ina. They made her day. They were always caring and generous with their time. They made Gwen feel special and loved.

If you asked Gwen what her greatest achievement was, she would have told you that is was sixty-six years of marriage. Some other achievements of Gwen's are what great care she took of her parents, especially in their later years. Gwen would stay with her mom every time her dad would end up in the hospital and stay after he got home untill he was well enough for her mom to handle him on her own. She would pray for every need she heard about, whether it was family, friend or a stranger. Glen and Gwen raised five strong, caring children. Gwen was very proud of her Irish blood line and she credited that for her stubbornness and determination.

Gwen was blessed with many good friends and extended family.

Gwen would want to be remembered for two things. First, her love for God. Second, her love for her family. She would not want to see one person not go to heaven. This was so important to her, that when her grandfather Matthew was dying in the hospital in Red Deer, she asked her pastor to go and talk with him.

The family would like to say thank you for the care of Gwen:

Agape Hospice: for making her last days comfortable for Gwen and for us.

Dr. Baylis, Dr. Barnard, Dr. Nesbitt, and Dr. Fisher: Gwen always said she had the best doctors in the city and she was right.

Home care Nurse Bonnah: Thank you for being so gentle and patient with Gwen and helping her through the difficult decision of having to move to somewhere other than home.

Kristen and the staff at Bowmanor: Gwen loved the people, workers and the soup. you a gave her something to look forward to every Thursday.

Hannah and Ina: Gwen loved you both so much. She never wanted to lose you and hated it when you were off and she had to deal with someone else. You brought a lot of light to her life. A huge thank you.

Gwen will be buried with her parents at Alto Reste Cemetery in Red Deer, Alberta, at a later date. To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Gwen, visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.