Connie Dianne Gutwin

Connie Gutwin was born August 31, 1938, and died peacefully on June 20, 2022, at home in Saskatoon, surrounded by family.

Connie was born in Drake, SK to Hans and Anna Dyck and grew up in Drake, Waldheim, and Swift Current with her much beloved twin sisters and brother. She studied nursing at St. Paul’s hospital in Saskatoon and became a public health nurse after graduation.

Connie married Marv Gutwin in 1960, and they had three children: Jon, Carl, and Catherine. After the kids were on their way in elementary school, Connie returned to university and became a social worker, eventually specializing in palliative care and working with the community services team at Royal University Hospital. Marv died in 1987. Connie retired at age 60, and spent her time teaching social work classes, volunteering with Global Gathering Place, and nurturing her many friendships. She met and married John Allen in 2000; she and John’s family embraced each other as family until her death. John died in 2015.

Connie ended her life with medical assistance. She was very grateful to have that option and for the support of the MAID staff. Connie faced her death with grace and openness. She wasn’t sad to die, but she was sorry to leave her family: she said, “relationships, for me, are the essence of life.” Connie lived her life with integrity, curiosity, and a deep interest in others. Her family is deeply grateful for the gift of her life and we will continue to learn from the example she set.

A celebration of Connie’s life will take place in Saskatoon at Nutana Park Mennonite Church (1701 Ruth Street) on Thursday, August 18th, 2022, at 2pm. This event will be streamed on the Nutana Park website: npmc.net.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to CHEP (chep.org) or Station20West (station20west.org), two organizations very close to Connie’s heart.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Martens Warman Funeral Home (306) 934-4888.