229486
228476
West Kelowna  

Last founder of Gorman Bros. Lumber passes away at age 100

Gorman matriarch passes

The last founding member of Gorman Bros. Lumber in West Kelowna has passed away less than a month after her 100th birthday.

Eunice Gorman was the first bookkeeper of the fledgling Gorman Bros. Lumber and box company, founded in 1949.

“Eunice passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by members of her family, who were singing hymns of faith to ease her passing,” the company said on Facebook. She passed on Sept. 16.

The post said Eunice "has spent the last weeks reflecting on an incredible life lived."

“Eunice, like the other founders, always believed that family and community were important and a favourite verse that she likes to remind us is; Proverbs 22:1 – A Good name is to be chosen rather than great riches," said the company on social media when marking her 100th birthday.

Eunice was married to Ross Gorman, who founded the company with his brother John Gorman after an “informal chat,” according to the company's website.

“[Ross and Eunice] worked as a team through all the ups and downs that life threw them, the loss of their orchards, the founding and building of Gorman Bros., along with Eunice’s bookstores,” the company said on Facebook. “Ross and Eunice worked hard raising 6 children, and took in almost the same number of foster children.”

The Gorman Group of Companies is now managed by Nick Arkle, Ross and Eunice’s son in law.



More West Kelowna News

225429