Mary Gavine Turley (nee) Wells

Passed away peacefully at her home at Place Kensington, on April 1, 2025 at the age of 98. It was always significant to Gavine that she was born the same day and year as Queen Elizabeth II and to her surprise she managed to outlive her by one and a half years.

Predeceased by her husband, Vernon. Dearest mother to Penny (Ivan Velan), Ron (Madeleine Paton), Neil and Cynthia (Peter Selnar); grandmother to Rob Velan (Claire), Shane Velan (Jill), Corey Velan (Stacey), Kristina Velan (Julian), Andrew Velan (Erin), Ryan Turley (Stephanie), Heather Turley (Josh) and Tara Sellers (Landon); step-grandmother to Karena Selnar (Jeff) and Monika Bennett (Darren); great-grandmother to twenty great-grandchildren: Grayson, Emma, Ryan, Blair, Charlie, Oliver, Cole, Will, Elliot, James, Matthew, Ivy, Sadie, Sienna, Lewis, Mabel, Annie, Chase, Alina, and Sam; and step-great-grandmother to Sullivan.

Born and raised in Montreal, she was an X ray technician at Montreal hospitals before marrying and becoming a homemaker and mother. While raising the family she volunteered at the Auxiliary to Douglas Hospital eventually becoming Chair of the Auxiliary – Adolescent and Children’s Services.

She had a special gift for friendship and supported many through life’s ups and downs through to their end of life.

She was an enthusiastic skier most of her life, whether in the Laurentians in her early days, then trips to Europe with Twin Skis over the years. She and Vernon had many adventures chartering sailboats in the Caribbean as well as sailing their boat on Chesapeake Bay and at the cottage on Lake Champlain.

When their children were grown, beginning in 1962, they travelled self guided extensively to exotic places before the advent of mass tourism, such as the highlands of New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Africa.

In her retirement years she became a regular badminton player at the Montreal Badminton and Squash Club (Club Atwater).

Becoming a grandmother at the young age of 44, she was involved in and revelled in each stage of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives.

She was a talented seamstress and taught many grandchildren (including the boys) how to mend and sew.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Iny, Dominique at The Key Homecare Assistance, together with all the caregivers who provided devoted care for her in her final years, especially longtime caregivers, Gracie, Ellen, Antoinette, Elsa, Rosemary, and Jumoke.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Douglas Mental Health University Institute.

https://douglas.research.mcgill.ca/

A funeral will be held at St. Matthias Anglican Church in Westmount on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:00am.