We regretfully announce the passing of Lois ""GG"" Gidge of Wasaga Beach, ON, Canada on April 20, 2022. Lois was surrounded by her family and passed away peacefully at Campbell House.
Our mother, Lois, was one of the strongest women to ever walk this earth and she fiercely loved her family and friends. Lois moved to the "big city" of Toronto early on and worked as a bookkeeper. She met and married our father, Norman Irwin in 1967 and in 1971 gave birth to a daughter. Two years later she was blessed with the birth of her son. She worked hard in factories and raised her family while living in Kitchener and then Singhampton. In the early 1990's she found her calling when she went back to school and graduated from the Personal Support Worker program through Georgian College. She began working at Sunset Manor in Collingwood and was well respected in her field. She went on to become the Chief Union Steward while there and retired when she turned 65. In 1994 Lois met Ronald Gidge and after a long friendship they found love and married on October 12, 2001 in an intimate ceremony at her home in Collingwood. It's hard to describe the love they felt for each other but if you listen to the song "Keeper of the Stars" by Tracey Byrd you might get an idea. When Ron and Lois married their families blended and she had the pleasure of gaining another son in Chris Gidge. When Lois wasn't raising her own kids, she opened her door and welcomed other kids who needed a loving place to call home. Lois loved to play cards and was a member of the "POKER GANG" for more than 35 years. She travelled extensively around the world with friends and family and wasn't afraid to try new things like zip lining, parasailing or anything else that gave her a thrill. Lois also loved her gardens, travelling to the trailer she shared with Ron and spending time with her best friend's Marilyn and Perry. Her laugh was infectious, and her positive outlook on life made everyday brighter for all those around her. Lois was a wonderful and loving mother and loyal friend and would do anything to help others in need. We will never be able to fill the space left behind by her. Lois was predeceased by her father Jack Royal, her mother Sylvia Schwandt, her sister Lynn Torgis, and her brother Blair Royal. She is survived by her loving husband Ronald Gidge, her children Heidi Chang (Serkan), Scott Irwin (Susan), Chris Gidge (Shalyn), her siblings Susan Bellinger (Dennis), and Thomas Royal (Pamela), her grandchildren McKenna and Sydney Irwin and Neila and Rorie Gidge, sister-in-laws Yvonne, Marie, Kelly Ann and Shirley, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Please consider a donation in Lois’ name to Hospice Georgian Triangle - Campbell House, as she spent her last days with the loving and compassionate staff there and this organization was important to her. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 at her son Scott's home in Singhampton. Time to follow.