GORMAN, Eunice

1921 - 2021

Eunice Gorman (ne Alves) was born August 23, 1921 in Vancouver, and passed away August 16, 2021, 24 days after her 100th

birthday. As the eldest of four children born to Hector and Eunice Alves, Eunice saw many changes in her life. She experienced the hardships of the Great Depression, the uncertainties of World War II, and witnessed space exploration and changes in technology beyond anything she could have imagined. Eunice did exceptionally well in school, and was accelerated through her classes, graduating from

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the American Can Company, and throughout her life, told stories of her fond memories of that time. She met her future husband, Ross Gorman in Vancouver and after their marriage on May 17, 1946, the

couple settled in Glenrosa, which is now part of West Kelowna. Life

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no running water and going to Westbank to use the only phone in town. She was clearly a country girl at heart, and embraced life as an orchardist. The couple had a large garden, orchards with apples, cherries and peaches, as well as a few cows and chickens. Eunice loved to preserve fruit and vegetables, and spent countless hours canning, freezing and preserving. Long after the family was grown, she continued this tradition. Her children always said she was “born before her time”.

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when nearly all of their fruit trees died or were severely damaged in the winter of 1949/50. In 1951, Ross and his brother John, started making fruit boxes to bring in some income while they waited for their orchards to be renewed. The box making business turned into apple bins and then into a sawmill. During her lifetime, Gorman Bros. Lumber expanded into the Gorman Group, with plants in Westbank, Canoe, Revelstoke, Lumby and Oroville, WA. Eunice did the company’s bookkeeping for many years. Throughout this time she would drive to Kelowna for night school classes, the

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company on its feet again. During these busy years, Eunice had an open door policy. Her friends from Vancouver would send their children to work at the mill in the summer, and they would live in the Gorman house. She also welcomed long term boarders, foster children and other children who needed a place to live for a time. Beginning in the early 1970s and through to the late 1990s,

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and Ross enjoyed traveling and visited many countries. However, she was always happiest when home surrounded by family. Eunice had a deep faith and was a committed Christian. She loved teaching Sunday School and leading women’s Bible Studies. She was never content to simply follow a lesson guideline, she always brought in a historical perspective to her lessons. She was very well read and loved her extensive library. Eunice had a goal of turning 100, and was delighted to enjoy a family celebration with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved watching the great grandchildren play games and smiled continuously for the camera during the party, but the highlight was the letter of congratulations from the Queen. Eunice was predeceased by her husband Ross in 2014. She has six children, Ron (Jenifer), Esther (Andrew), Carolyn, Marjorie (John), Mary (Doug), Louise (Nick), 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. A private family service will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021. Arrangements in care of Everden Rust Funeral Services, West Kelowna Arrangement Centre, 250-768-8925. Condolences may be shared through

www.everdenrust.com.