Gemer, Carole Ann
CAROLE ANN GEMER (nee Hadford), beloved wife of George Gemer, passed away at the Foothills Health Centre, on Thursday, June 2nd, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 71 years.
CAROLE ANN GEMER (nee Hadford), beloved wife of George Gemer, passed away at the Foothills Health Centre, on Thursday, June 2nd, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 71 years.
Carole was an amazing lady who touched the lives of so many. Affectionately known as "Mother Goose", she was a mom to many, always eager to help out, take care of others and "get the job done".
She was a track and field athlete in her youth, winning a silver medal at the National Championships. She was named the Kinsmen Athlete of the Year in 1964. Her coach, George, became her husband and she embarked on a lengthy career as a team manager for the University of Lethbridge team and the National track and field team. She guided multiple teams to the Pan-American Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Student Games and the World Championships. She was selected to escort the teams to two Olympic Games - Barcelona in 1992 and Sydney in 2000.
She was a pioneer for sport in Lethbridge, serving on countless organizing committees for local and international games, including the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. She was also a founding member of the West Wind Gymnastics Club. In 1988, she was inducted into the Lethbridge Sport Hall of Fame. She was also a Pronghorn Sports of Hall of Fame inductee in 2000 and a Golden Jubilee Medal recipient in 2002.
Even though she was born in Lethbridge and has Swedish and English ancestry, she became a valued member of the local Hungarian Cultural Society, serving as President for over a decade. She was more recently a Board Member for the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association and was eagerly anticipating the opening of their new building.
Carole had numerous accomplishments but more importantly was a woman who so generously gave her time and energy wherever she could. Her family would often say she worked full time but never got paid. She loved to be busy and she was always there when you needed her. She wore a warm, welcoming smile and had a sunny way about her. She was loved and respected by so many and has her place in all our hearts.
Carole is survived by her husband, George, daughters Robin Gemer (Allen LeBlanc) and Tara Gemer-Lowe (Mark Lowe), brother, Eugene (Marilyn) Hadford, granddaughter, Sydney Gardner, and grandsons, Jackson and Jasper Lowe. Carole was predeceased by her parents, Cecil and Louella Hadford.
At Carole's request, no funeral service is planned. A private family Interment will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Guestbook (25)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Carole.
Dear Tara ,Robin and families. I was so sorry to hear your mom passed away in Calgary. I have been thinking of you all and hope your memories help comfort you to get thru this most difficult time. Sincerely Beth Quan and family.
Dear George, Robin, Tara and Families, We were quite shocked and at the same time saddened to hear of Carole's passing after her short battle with cancer. We really appreciated Tara's call, otherwise we would have found out much later. We have so many great memories of Carole, and I am sure all of you do, so many wonderful times spent together! Carole will be sadly missed by all of us and will take a very special place in our memories!
went to paterson junior high and lci with her sad to hear she has passed
I will never forget the times Carole would sit with me after practices, and listen to whatever I had on my mind. 20 years later, when our paths would occassionally cross, she would still greet me with a warm and welcoming smile. My memories of her are fond, and the impression she left on my life is nothing but positive. My heart goes out to you Coach, and to your family.
Dear George and family: Accept our sincere condolences and sympathies. She was such a wonderful person, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. - from Calgary.
I am so sorry to hear about Carole. She was a wonderful woman. I have good memories of her and our track and field days. Thinking of you George, Robin and Tara and all of your family.
Dear George, Tarya & Robyn We are so sorry to hear of the passing of our Dear Carol. We cannot imagine how very, very sad this is!!! And what an unbelievable surprise. Bless you all and please accept our deepest sympathy and love!! Very, Very Sincerely Betty Lou and Steve Mazutinec
To George and family, my sympathy at the passing of Carole. I will remember her for the care she gave to our children in the track club.
Robyn & Family.......Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Mom. She obviously was a beautiful person inside and out.
George, Robin, Sydney, Tara, Marc, Jackson & Jasper, I was so sorry to hear about Carole. She was an amazing woman and half of a dynamic duo. I always found Carole so wise and calming as she had such a great sense of perspective on life. I know you each hold a treasure trove of memories as do so many of us whose lives she touched over the years. Thank you for sharing Mother Goose with us. My heartfelt sympathy to each of you.
We were very saddened to learn of Carole's death. Our initial introduction to her was at the Westwinds Gymnastics Club when our daughter Courtney was first enrolled some 35 years ago. And, it was always such a joy to run into her from time to time over the years and catch up on who was doing what. Our thoughts are with all of you at this very difficult, sad time. Rest assured, she will never be forgotten by those of us who were privileged enough to have known her.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Carole. My condolences Robin and family
she was a graceful and kind woman. i am sorry for your loss
Dear George, Robin and Tara, I am sorry to hear of your loss. Carole was a wonderful cousin...always remember that huge smile, warmth and sincerity. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her as she touched the lives and hearts of so many.
George and family, our sincere condolences with Carole's passing. I knew her from way back at the Lethbridge Herald and later through our neighbours, the Santa's. May she resr in peace.
Dear George & family, I am so sad Carole is not here with us. She will be missed much more than words can express. Such an incredible woman. I was privileged to know your family. I loved being part of the U of L track and field team. Amazing to have you as our coach George, and Carole as our team manager. You challenged and encouraged us and understood us so well. It was great training with you Tara. You were an inspiration. I count the memories from amongst our track & field days as most treasured. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives. Praying you will be surrounded by much love & comfort during this time of grief & pain.. Sending big hugs. With love, Michelle
With great sadness I have learned of Carol's passing. I have worked with Carol on numerous occasions on international and national scene in athletics, she was the best that ever was. My thoughts are with George, Tara and the familly.
Carol was one of those people of such amazing charter. She was the pillar of so many athletes dreams and endeavours. We will all miss her very much.
Dear Mr. Gemer,Robin and Sydney, Tara, Jackson and Jasper, I am so saddened to hear of the passing of "Gramma" as I called her when she came to pick up Sydney and the boys. She was a wonderful,kind and gentle person that I grew to cherish dearly.She and I shared many words over the years and at the dance shows.She had the nicest smile and gave good hugs when she saw me. I am sure all of you can relate to that. I am certain she will be missed greatly by all of you. But remember to cherish all the wonderful memories that you shared with her and she will always remain in your hearts. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family now and always. You are a terrific family and I am so pleased to have shared in such moments with Sydney and her Gramma. I will always cherish that! My sincere sympathy at this time to all of the family, Love, Sandy Fraser
My condolences to the Gemer family; what an accomplished sports woman thank you for sharing her story! Her legacy to health, sport and athleticism in our region surely lives forward in her daughter, Tara, a healer and sports woman; in her grandchildren; and likely many others she has mentored.
To the family of Carole So sorry to hear of Carole's passing. Death is so hard to deal with but you have so many good memories of the times you were all together it will help you through your time of sorrow. My prays are with you. Bev
George and Family, we are so sorry for your loss, and Carole will be deeply missed by all. She had a heart of gold, and a laugh that could brighten any day. Sending our love, Matt & Courtney
I am so very sorry to hear of Carole's passing. It is no secret that we had a difference of opinion about the role of the president in the Hungarian Cultural Society, but I can honestly say that I truly appreciated having her on my side in the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association. She was a great woman who clearly cared about her community. The Huszar family sends our sincere condolences.