Barbara Gwendolyn Robart
“May All Beings Be Happy”
Barbara Gwendolyn Robart
February 1,1954 – November 22, 2020
On Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 Gwen passed away at the Palliative Unit at Bridgepoint Health in Toronto.
Gwen was born in Moncton, N.B., daughter of the late Edith (Wolfe) and Chuck (C.H.) Robart. Her step-mother Grace (Clark) died in 1991.
Work as a care provider in a long-term facility in Alberta, kindled a life-long focus of supporting people with special needs and mental health issues. This included work at L’Arche, Reena, and the Toronto East General Community Mental Health Program. She had a clear vision regarding advocacy and was passionate about making our world a fairer place.
Opinionated and passionate, kind and sensitive, frugal yet generous of spirit – that’s our Gwen.
Gwen’s interests were many. She explored her creative interests later in life – studying piano, voice and theatre into retirement. She was a Tai Chi practitioner and teacher, and attended the Buddhist Center ‘’Friends of the Heart”. She greatly valued her experience in Improv and later the Ryerson Act Two group – including I’m Still Here; and had a special connection with that group. She easily gained the affection of her companions, who valued her playfulness and her inclusivity. She enjoyed evenings of Scrabble with her Toronto family and friends, listening to great music, taking a break to dance a bit, as well as discussing the latest great detective fiction books with Kevin.
Though she had no children of her own, her nieces, nephews and the children of friends could rely on Aunt Gwennie to fully engage with her love of mischief and play. Near the time of her passing she expressed amazement that she had been so loved.
Another source of joy was the out-of-doors – camping, hiking and spending time in her garden – where she enjoyed sitting with friends relaxing beneath the tall pine tree, picking raspberries early in the day and feeding the birds and squirrels.
Gwen will be greatly missed by her brothers Keith Robart (Florence) and Maynard Robart (Ellen), her sisters Fern Lane (late Angus) Peggy Morton (late Hughie) Pat Woods (Kevin) Christine Doucette (Alan) and a great number of nieces and nephews, as well as her circle of friends and colleagues. Gwen was predeceased by her brother Roger (late Joyce) in 2018.
Due to CoVid isolation we will wait until we can connect as a community to gather and celebrate Gwen’s life.
Special thanks to her remarkable surgeon Dr LaFramboise at PMH, nurses and specialized treatment teams at Princess Margaret Hospital, and the kind and skilled team at Bridgepoint Health Palliative Care Unit, 10 North.
And to those numerous people who supported Gwen/us through this journey – far too many to name – our deep thanks. Gwen was so fortunate that you persisted despite the isolation of CoVid.
Gwen contributed to a number of charities including Amnesty International, The War Amps, The Scott Mission, and Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
If you wish to do so please determine the donation of your choice in Gwen’s memory.
As Gwennie would say: “Love is a Verb…just sayin”
Janice Meilach
May all the sweet memories of Gwennie bring you solace during this time. My deepest condolences to Pat, Kevin and family.
Love from Janice Meilach
-friend and colleague of Pat’s.
Linda von Richter
I got a real sense of Gwennie’s life and know she will be missed by her community. And all that love will live on.
Dorothy Pestell
Gwen was something special. She loved to perform with her guitar at the Imperial Pub on our special Sunday get-togethers, which we loosely called our Cabaret. A most gracious host, even as she battled for her health, she never let anything show except happiness that you’d come to visit. A strong brave lady always.
I will miss you Gwen.
Dorothy
Fellow Act2 student
Gabrielle Barkany
Hello to the family. Please accept my deepest condolences. Gwen was my improv comrade. She was part of the Babes, a Toronto-based improv group of fun, strong, warm and mischievous women just like Gwen.
Oh, and she was loved. She was our Rock Star Babe. Brilliant improviser, a sassy and fearless actor and player with a wicked sense of humour and charisma that you don’t forget. And she could improv in French too! She loved the French Canadian culture and practicing her French. I loved her and I will miss her.
Nancy Christie
Gwen inspires us by how she lived her life. I hope that warm memories will offer some solace to those who are close to Gwen and miss her terribly.
-friend and colleague of Pat’s
Martin Wills, friend and fellow ACT II STUDIO member
I got to know Gwen in our first acting class at ACT II STUDIO and a group of us became good friends. I worked with her backstage and musically but we never acted together except as exercises. She was always so warm and friendly and incredibly modest about her achievements. I’m proud to call myself a friend of Gwen’s and have so enjoyed our interactions over the last four years. I’ll miss her but I have the example of Gwen’s approach to life to carry me through – live life, focus on what can be and not what can’t, and be kind. Love you Gwen.
Geoffrey Baines. Friend from ACT II STUDIO
I got to know Gwen at the STUDIO through a mutual friend, whom we call Gwendo. She was always ready to help in any situation, and didn’t expect any kind of recognition for it. It was a pleasure to support her through treatment, but she had so many friends and family to call on there wasn’t much opportunity for me. We had many long discussions during drives to and from the hospital, from popular music to spiritual matters.
I was, and remain, inspired by the memory of her forthrightness and her generosity of spirit. RIP Gwen.
Marlene
Dearest Pat,
Losing someone you love is heartbreaking. I hope that you are finding comfort in the memories shared. Pat, you and Gwen shared an incredibly close and loving bond as sisters and loyal friends. This bond lasted her life time and will surely continue beyond. All my love to you , Kevin and your family as you grieve and hold Gwen in your loving remembrance.
Marlene
Dearest Pat,
Losing someone you love is devastating. I hope that you find comfort in shared memories. Pat, you and Gwen were incredibly loving sisters and loyal friends. This bond lasted her lifetime and will continue beyond. Love to you , Kevin and your family as you grieve and continue to hold Gwen in loving remembrance. Thank you for sharing Gwen with us.
Love Marlene
Don Baker - colleague at Act 2 Studio
Among her many qualities I shall always remember Gwen best for her quiet, supportive, sometimes mischievous smile which shone because she was always fully engaged, caring, and appreciative.
Sue MacRae
I feel like a knew Gwen through her sister who talked about her in such a fond way. May Gwen’s family be comforted by their loving memories in their grief and loss.
My sincere condolences,
Sue MacRae
Cathie Dimitriou (Cathie Hair)
My deepest and dearest condolences to Patty and family.
Gwen and I first met in improv (Babes) she just came up to me at break time and said
“that was really good!!…don’t worry we all have your back here, there is no right or wrong in this class!” From then on we started to become really close and continued well after improv class.
I would see her almost every morning for a coffee in the backyard before I would start my clients! Even if was for 20mins. She would always greet me: “Cathie Hair! Goood morning!!” I would always go to her piano and play Mary had a little lamb and some other made up horrible sound of music…and she would say “your amazing you should play the piano!! Really!!” We would laugh and try to dance to the distorted music that I was trying to make.
There are so many amazing memories we made together and I’m so thankful and blessed 🙏🙏🙏to have had such an amazing woman in my life.
I will truly miss you my friend ❤❤❤
May you rest in piece Gwen
❤❤❤ Cathie “hair” Dimitriou
Jim Edwards
My Condolences to the Family, Gwen was a Tai Chi Sister to me. We apprenticed together many years ago. Love was definitely a verb for Gwen in my experience. As a fellow student I experienced her kindness, compassion and loving manner for many hours. Walk with Spirit my Friend.
Peggy Needham, friend and Gwen's mother in the play, I'm Still Here!
I treasure time I spent with Gwen. We had fun together! But we also shared on a deeper level. Here is something she sent me several months before she died:
What is Dying?
A ship sails and I stand watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says, “She is gone”. Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large as when I saw her. The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “She is gone”, there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up a glad shout, “There she comes”! and that is dying.
There you have it. A small glimmer of hope lives in our hearts.
Yvon Cousineau
Translated by
Honore Kerwin Borrelli
Joan Leman
Another colleague at ACT II Studio. I had but a short time to work with Gwen, being mother to her in I’m Still Here. It was a joy to have her as a partner. Such a delightful, warm, caring person.
Graham Orwin
I will always remember Gwen for her love of singing and music. I hope I helped out with that. I felt she was a very strong person, and a leader. She will be dearly missed.
Christina McLain
So sad to hear this news. I did not realize that Gwen was born in Moncton.( I myself am from Saint John. )I didn’t know Gwen that well but she seemed like a nice woman and I know she was very keen about joining Act Two. She will be missed.
Tobi Kaufman
I met Gwen at Act 2 and had the opportunity to ‘play’ with her in several productions. I always looked forward to seeing her. She had this inner warmth and beautiful smile that always made me feel happy. Gwen always approached me with a gentle shoulder massage that calmed me as if she could read my mind that this was exactly what I needed at that moment. She was a special person and I will miss her.
Carole Zaza
Hello,
I am so sorry for your loss of the kind of person I strived to be … Gwen.
Gwen was ‘lovely’ and ‘brilliant’ as my Dublin friends say.
I remember her vidid performance in ‘Dancing in Lughnasa’ as one of the highlights of Wednesday Matinees at Ryerson University.
During these difficult times, we all must put our efforts to the ‘best’ as did Gwen.
Jan Boase
Gwen, you were and are precious to me. What fun we had. I will miss you “sweetie”.
Patty, my sincere condolences to you and your family. You were the best of sisters to Gwen and she’ll make a warm, cozy spot for you in Heaven where she’s now singing and entertaining the family and friends who have gone before her.
Much love to you as you navigate this difficult journey.
Jan Boase
Judy Malkin
I had the privilege of meeting Gwen for the first time in the spring of 2017, when she was part of the backstage crew at the Act 2 Studio WORKS’ Fresh Picks Festival of five short plays. She was one of the most cheerful and helpful people I’ve ever worked with. And then I was able to get to know her better as part of the I’m Still Here cast, and performed with her several times. Gwen brought so much to her character in those shows, and the audiences always responded to her. And then … during her illness I was able to visit a few times, and was part of the team taking her to hospital for her treatments. And still, always upbeat and cheerful. Gwen always signed off her emails with the word “Love” and a cluster of hearts along with her name. It’s not surprising that we all loved her back. I will miss her greatly and I hope that her sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews, along with all her friends, will only have warm and good memories. Farewell, sweet Gwen.
Bernie Gelfand
Gwen and I always had fun together. She loved to joke around and we caught these moods together. At the last Gala we had she saw a painting of mine,and said she wished she had bought it. I was happy to give it to her. I hope it gave some pleasure. She was a great person.
Barbara Haber, colleague at ACT II STUDIO
So sorry for your loss. Knew Gwen first as a singer at one of our pub events, What a lovely voice! Later she joined the cast of I’m Still Here and I was performing the day she made her debut in that role. She came through with flying colours. Will miss her greatly.
Mary Shand
I’ve known Gwen for years. She was among my supporters when I was very sick. She was my Counsellor and we remained close after her retirement. I spoke to her recently about her illness and the thought of her not being there made feel so sad. Now she’s gone but never forgotten.
Bless her family and friends.
Doug Croker
I am a friend from ACT 2.
I will miss Gwen’s thoughtfulness, humour, and grace. She was kind and generous.
My condolences to her family.
Doug
Bruna Caracristi
Dear Patricia,
Over the years I’ve felt blessed to witness your great respect, friendship and wholehearted love for your dear sister, Gwen. There was so much to love and admire about Gwen, how she embraced life and the great lessons she has taught many of us about a life well lived. The loving bond you shared with her went far beyond sisterhood and no doubt will remain a great treasure in the many years to come.
My dear friend, we embrace you, Kevin and your family with much love as you grieve Gwen and hold her dearly in your cherished memories.
Bruna & Paul
Alta Louise Doyle
My condolences. I was shaken to hear of Gwen’s passing. I was hoping to see her again in the Central YMCA locker room, work with her on an Act 2 production, or have her back with all the Babes in an improv class. Such a loving, humorous, calming, solid soul.
Karin Doan
Our condolences to Pat, Kevin and the Robart family. Gwen was a special person and she will be missed by those of us who knew her, but also remembered. She followed her own path, embraced life with her varied interests, and was very giving of herself and her time. We will miss her sense of humour, her zest for life, and her garden! We had many a pleasant Friday afternoon sitting in the garden with friends, having a drink and sharing conversation. The conversation was varied, but always included time to reflect on Gwen’s garden and the state of the raspberries. We are thankful for this time, and for the memories.
Karin and Richard
Janice Krangle
Gwen and I became friends after taking a class together at Act2 Studio. We shared singing, piano, good conversations and lots of laughter over the next four years. Meeting for tea or having lunch with her in her garden was always a great pleasure. I will deeply miss her friendship. My condolences to her family.
Sandra Damiani
I was fortunate to have met Gwen through a mutual friend. She was a kind, warm and engaging woman with a keen sense of humour. She will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to her family.
Kathleen schratz
Gwen was such a funny, loving and kind soul. From the moment I met her in our Babeprov class our hearts joined like we knew each other forever. I wish that I had told her how much that she meant to me. Seeing her face when she walked into my home at her retirement party will stay with me forever. She deserved so much more. I loved to make her laugh because when she laughed it made me laugh and then she would start to have her funny “death rattle cough”. Gwen, I found out you were protecting me. Would you please keep protecting me? I love you. Kathleen. Xo
Millie Amato
Dear Pat and family,
So sorry about the loss of dear Gwen, and hoping that you and your family are managing ok.
I was fortunate to work with Gwen for quite a long time, and can’t think of anyone more compassionate than Gwen, her kindness and thoughtfulness were truly boundless. Will always remember her for this, and her spirited way of always being her authentic self.
My condolences, and take good care,
Millie
Heather Young
I just heard about Gwen’s passing. She and I were tai chi sisters many years ago. I have such fond memories of Gwen’s kindness and good humour. She was a dear soul, and I’m sorry to have lost touch with her. Sincere condolences to her family.
Wendy Martin
My condolences to Gwen’s family. I didn’t know that she’d developed cancer or passed away until very recently. I can feel Gwen’s twinkly spirit, hear her soft voice and see her joyous laugh in my mind. I always looked forward to seeing her, she is missed.
Kathleen Schratz
I love and miss you so much honey. You are in my soul. Xo