Neil’s mother, Gertrude, was born on January 20, 1911 in Winnipeg, the second oldest of six children. She died in Vancouver on February 28, 1966 from cancer at the very young age of 56. She was very intelligent, and went to the University of Manitoba where she received her BA. This is her University graduation picture (about 1930). During her adult life, she was active in many organizations and often was the featured speaker where she spoke on a wide range of topics.
Neil's father, Irving, lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and had a large family there. This picture is of Irving, Gertrude and Gertrude's father in 1933.
After Gertrude and Irving were married they initially lived in various small Ontario & Manitoba mining communities where Irving had general goods stores.
Here is one example:
Neil was born in Thunder Bay in 1934 - here are the happy couple with Neil in 1939:
Fortunately for everyone, Irving worked hard and did well, enabling them to return to Thunder Bay where they built a lovely home on Summit Avenue:
In 1953 they moved to Vancouver so that the children would be close to a university.
I didn't meet Neil until 1971 so did not have the opportunity to meet his mother. I am told she was a wonderful woman, and that she was renowned for her brownies. She made a pan of brownies most school days and Neil would polish off at least one row every time.
Gertrude would have been 100 years old in 2011.
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