We Remember
GORMAN, Carolyn Eunice
August 8, 1950 — April 7, 2024
Carolyn “Carol” Eunice Gorman passed away peacefully on April 7, 2024, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Carolyn loved life. Her big heart and optimistic outlook were evident to all who met her. She loved to travel and enjoyed nature. Her loyalty to friends and family was unwavering, and her Christian faith and her family were central to her life. Carolyn poured out her unconditional love and affection to her family and friends.
Carolyn was the third child born to Ross and Eunice Gorman. She grew up in the small town of Westbank, BC, and throughout her life fondly reminisced about playing in the family orchards; racing her friend on horseback; Sunday afternoon walks in the forest with her parents and siblings; and sketching and writing poetry.
Following high school, Carolyn lived in Vancouver for many years, where she worked at Vancouver General Hospital in the food preparation department. She made many lifelong friends during these years, and when she took an early retirement and moved back to the Okanagan in 2001, she made sure to keep in touch with her many friends. Carolyn was very sociable and had friends scattered all over the world. It was common for a family member to stop by her house for a visit and find her on the phone with a friend or relative from another country.
During her retirement years, she enjoyed writing poetry and self-published three poetry books. She took art lessons and spent many hours sketching and painting. She loved to entertain and had a large playroom full of toys and crafts specifically set up for her many great-nieces and nephews who always wanted to visit “Auntie Carol”.
Carolyn was predeceased by her parents Ross and Eunice Gorman and leaves behind her brother Ron (Jenifer, deceased); and sisters Esther (Andrew), Marjorie (John), Mary (Doug), and Louise (Nick). She will be dearly missed by her 15 nieces and nephews; as well as her 25 great-nieces and nephews.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”.
A Memorial Service will be held on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM, located at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
To the family, I’m a long time friend of Carol’s, working with her at VGH. My prayers are for God’s comfort & peace as you celebrate Carol’s life & grieve her passing. So sorry I won’t be able to attend the funeral, I will definitely be watching it on line.
Ellie Wall (Caronport, Sk.)
Carolyn and I met and became friends when we were both in Grade eight at Eric Hamber Secondary School in Vancouver. We usually walked home together after school and Carolyn met my Mum, whom she later got to know better at VGH where they both worked. Years later, Carolyn took me to visit her church in West Kelowna and gave me a symbolic trumpet lapel pin to remember her by when I went out to West Africa with the WEC mission to proclaim the gospel. Carolyn and I corresponded by mail through the years and later by phone, when my family moved to Kelowna and I was on home leave. Years later, when I was back in Kelowna caring for my parents, Carolyn, my mother, and I got together for coffee at the Capri Mall and Carolyn came over to our house in Upper Mission, but we mostly just chatted over the phone. Carolyn and I have long had a plan to meet at her West Kelowna condo and then drive together to the Christian bookstore on Enterprise to look for something for the condo I moved into last year, but between Carolyn’s trips to visit friends on Vancouver Island, her art classes, and strength-debilitating sessions at Kelowna’s cancer clinic, the time has never quite been right. I’ve been planning to phone Carolyn again, sooner rather than later, but last night my sister-in-law mentioned that Carolyn’s already left us. At our weekly Inter School Christian Fellowship meetings at Eric Hamber, we used to sing, “This world is not my home; I’m just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” It’s now too late to visit Carolyn in West Kelowna to see her art studio, exercise equipment, and poetry books, etc., but since I still have the gospel trumpet lapel pin Carolyn gave me to remember her by, I’ll pin it on before leaving to bid Carolyn “Au revoir” at the Springfield Home on the 17th: “Au revoir”, because we know we’ll be meeting again in Carolyn’s new Heavenly home where “we’ll all see Jesus and sing and shout the victory”.
I’m so sad to hear of Carolyn’s passing , she was such a breath of fresh air. I work at Marks, and she would light up everyone’s day . We always looked forward to seeing and talking to her. The staff at Mark’s is sending out our deepest condolences to all the family
So sad to hear of Carolyn’s passing. I worked with Carolyn years ago at Vancouver General. Our friendship rekindled after many years. Carolyn made two trips to Newfoundland in recent years, MY wife and I really enjoyed her company, Carolyn was a very caring and loving person. May she rest in peace
I had the privilege of calling her my Auntie Carolyn. I remember one special day when we went to the mall together. She was at my graduation which was a treat. She brought so much love, excitement and generosity into my life. I feel very lucky to have known her and be loved by her. I am so glad I was able to see her when I was in Kelowna a few weeks ago. Sending the family all my condolences.
Carol’s passing has left a hole in the lives of her family, extended family members, and large circle of friends. Carol faced a great deal of adversity in her life, and was often underappreciated. She persevered to the end. I have so many memories of Carol from childhood on. I’m sorry I won’t be at her memorial service, but will watch the livefeed.
My mother (Florence Wilson) was Carol’s supervisor at VGH when she worked there. Carol always kept in touch with my mother until my mom could no longer communicate with people on the phone. That’s when I started talking to Carol to keep her updated on my mom’s condition. Carol always had such nice things to say about my mom and their time working together so it was always such an uplifting conversation to talk to Carol and hear these stories. This was particularly comforting after my mom passed as we continued to keep in touch.
My husband, daughter and I were fortunate to visit Carol last summer and meet in person after talking on the phone for years. We had such a nice visit and saw first-hand how important her family was to her, between all the pictures and the toys for the kids and the stories she told of her younger days. We had plans to visit again this summer and I am very sad we no longer have that opportunity.
Carol’s strong faith was sure an inspiration and was comforting how it helped her through her health challenges. She was very strong and positive and it was really a delight to have known her even a little. Her passing is very sad and my sincere condolences go out to her family.
Carol will be missed. She was a generous and loving person with a positive outlook. She impressed me with her strong faith and willingness to leave the outcome of her life in God’s hands. She “fought a good fight”, she “finished the race”, she “kept the faith”. 2Timothy 4:7
We will cherish this picture from when we visited Carol last December.
In reflecting on Carol’s passing a beautiful poem by Martha Snell Nicholson came to mind.
This isn’t death, it’s glory!
It isn’t dark, it’s light;
It isn’t stumbling, groping,
Or even faith – it’s sight!
This isn’t grief, it’s having
My last tear wiped away.
It’s sunrise, it’s the morning
Of my eternal day!
This isn’t even praying,
It’s speaking face to face;
It’s listening, and it’s glimpsing
The wonders of His grace.
This is the end of pleading
For strength to bear my pain;
Not even pain’s dark memory
Will ever live again.
How did I bear the earth life
Before I came up higher,
Before my soul was granted
It’s every deep desire.
Before I knew this rapture
Of meeting face to face
That One who sought me, saved me
And kept me by His grace!
Sending our love to the family. Carol was a very special cousin.
Sorry we won’t be able to be there but will join you online.
Thinking of you all and how special Carol was in different ways for each person in her circle. Relieved she is beyond the pain.
My condolences to the Family. I have had a great pleasure to know Carol. I got to know her from looking after her Mother and we became good friends. I will treasure my memories of her, she was soooo caring for others with a great big heart. I hope she’s flying high with the Eagles. She will be missed.
I have just recently heard of the sad passing of Dearest Carol,
I send my deepest condolences to the Gorman Family and Friends.
I had the privilege of working with her for many years at the Vancouver General Hospital.
I shall forever cherish in my heart the memories of her courage and generosity .
Carol was gifted with a most loving and creative, joyful spirit that inspired us all.
A treasure on earth~
A treasure in Heaven.
God Bless her Beautiful Soul
I want to send my deepest condolences to Carol’s Loved ones.
Carol was my Sunday School teacher and She made a huge impact on my youth as l was from a troubled family. Carol loved me as a big Sister would. l will always love her. l am grateful for now l serve Christ and love Him with all my heart. l know that God used Carol to be a shinning light for me. The Lord Bless you all and keep you till he returns again.