Childhood illness taught her compassion

Gwendolyn Gresham, a former editor of The Saskatchewan Anglican monthly diocesan newspaper, died of cancer on Dec. 2, 2011. She was 49.

Gresham became the associate editor of The Saskatchewan Anglican in early 2001. She was managing editor from March 2002 until April 2005.  “Gwendolyn was very proud of what she did at The Saskatchewan Anglican,” said her husband, retired Archdeacon Richard Spencer, mentioning that she oversaw a redesign of the paper. Her chief passions were writing and photography, and she worked in oceanography, journalism and documentary film-making, including the DVD series Canada Remembers, which honours veterans.

Born in Victoria, Gresham earned a B.A. in social work from the University of Regina and a diploma in journalism from Camosun College in Victoria

Her faith was an essential part of her life. Hospitalized for much of her early childhood, Gresham said suffering taught her compassion. She had a strong sense of social justice, sought to see Christ in others and to be a healing presence. She was drawn to Africa, travelled extensively there and believed its people had much to teach the rest of the world.

She is survived by her husband Richard Spence, parents Ray and Mary Gresham of Victoria, B.C., brother John and sister-in-law Tamara Holdal of Sardis, B.C. and their children Rosemarie, Gabriel and Maya.”