Passed away peacefully on May 9, 2022 at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener.
Gale … as she was best known, was born in Guelph on March 28, 1947. Gale was the daughter of Peter and Madeline Dudnick (both deceased) of Rockwood, Ont.
Gale had many life experiences. As a preteen she took up playing the accordion at the Royal Academy of Music. She exceled at it and went onto many competitions and was a part-time teacher for the Academy. One of her first full time jobs was with Bell Canada. However, her dream job came to her in 1969 when she was hired by Air Canada as a flight attendant. Gale loved her profession and flew the skies for 25 years coast to coast in Canada and U.S., the Caribbean Islands, the U.K. and Europe and in later years India and Singapore. Here she had the opportunity to shop the world and by working first class she met many famous people. As such, she had many stories to tell.
With Gale’s shopping experiences, love of fashion and world travel she transitioned easily to becoming an entrepreneur in the 1980s when she opened an elegant and stylish clothing, accessory and gift boutique in Rockwood called Sensational Silk Designs. She took great pride in giving each customer highly personalized service and offered a unique shopping experience for everyone. Gale gently closed the store in 2008 but continued to work out of her new home in Guelph and give direct service to her customers until her untimely passing.
Gale was an extremely empathetic and compassionate person. She listened closely to everyone and made them feel visible. She was a guiding light for many people coping with difficult life problems and was tireless in her care for both her parents when they were no longer able to care for themselves.
Left to mourn her and love her is partner and friend of 35 years Donald Kirk. Gale will be missed by her sister Irene Beitz and brothers Peter and Paul (Nancy) Dudnick.
Also she will be missed by nephews, Jake (Raquel) Beitz and Wade Beitz and grand nephew Adam and great nieces Victoria and Bianca.
A special heartfelt thank-you to Yvonne Hillis for her unfailing loyalty, support and friendship to Gale for over 45 years and in the final days of her life.
Also special thanks to Davie Bun, a youthful and loyal friend who cared so much for her.
Cremation has taken place. A private gathering is planned to honour Gale’s life at the end of this summer where she will be interred with her parents at Eden Mills cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME.
A tree will be planted in memory of Madeleine (Gale) Dudnick in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.