Gay Marie Yolande Coon

The family of Gay Coon, nee Goulard, is saddened to announce her passing on July 18,2024 at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. Gay was born March 10, 1926 in Sudbury, Ontario to parents Alderic and Juliette Goulard. Gay married Arthur Coon in 1956 and they enjoyed 49 years together until Art’s passing in 2005. They had two daughters, Connie Frisk(John) and Valerie. Gay is also survived by two Grandchildren, the lights of her life, Daniel (Jason) and Eric (Kirsten), along with four Great Grandchildren.

 Gay was the eldest of eleven children. She is survived by siblings Giselle, Marcel, Francois and Suzanne, who brought Gay her favourite burger and onion rings on her visits. Gay was predeceased by siblings Jean-Claude, Jean-Paul, Simone, Raymond, Claudette and Colette.

 At the age of twenty, Gay arrived in Gravenhurst via bus. She had obtained a job at the then Tuberculosis Hospital and had no idea where Gravenhurst was. Gay left the Hospital for employment at the landmark Sloans Restaurant, where she stayed for almost twenty years. Upon leaving Sloans she was employed at Muskoka Centre until her retirement.

 Gay volunteered for many organizations throughout the years, one of which was The Royal Canadian Legion, of which she was a Life Member. She received the Palm Leaf Award, the highest award in the Legion, given for Meritorious and dedicated service. Gay was also a life member of the Gravenhurst Legion Ladies Auxiliary. The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst honoured Gay with the Paul Harris Award. Other organizations she volunteered for were Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, of which she was a member, Safe Arrival Program at Muskoka Beechgrove Public School for the years Daniel and Eric were students and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital for over twenty years. Gay was also a member of the United Church in Gravenhurst.

 Gay enjoyed dancing, playing cards and a game of cribbage.

 In later years Gay and Art enjoyed traveling to Jamaica numerous times, Barbados, Mexico and to the D Day services overseas.

Thank you to The Manor at Gravenhurst for the care Mom received there. She considered it her home.

We wish to thank the Nurses and Doctors at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital for the excellent care they provided to Mom, keeping her comfortable, and the empathy they displayed. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Royal Canadian Legion, Gravenhurst.

A Celebration of life will be held to honour Gay will take place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Gravenhurst, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.