Gwyneth Barbara (Shaw) Nightingale

Gwyneth Barbara Nightingale (née Shaw), passed away peacefully at the age of 99 in Gig Harbor, Washington on March 6, 2020 surrounded by her children Herbert and Barbara. 

Gwyneth was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta on September 18, 1920 to Norman and Elizabeth Shaw and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. 

Gwyneth graduated from University of Alberta with honors in languages in 1941. She went to work for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa censoring German prisoner of war mail.  Subsequently, she was sent to Paris where she worked in the Canadian Embassy. 

After the war, Gwyneth moved to Seattle, Washington where she met and married Herbert John (“Bert”) Nightingale. They settled in Gig Harbor where she lived for the rest of her life.  Gwyneth was active in her community.  She founded the Gig Harbor chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), joined the East Gig Harbor Community Association and a musical group. With her husband, Bert, she was an active member of the Gig Harbor Yacht Club for many years.

For twenty years, after studying at the University of Puget Sound and receiving her teaching certificate, Gwyneth taught French (as well as German and Latin when required) at Wilson High School in Tacoma.  On retirement, she traveled in Europe and Africa and continued her involvement in the AAUW and the singing group, as well as the YMCA, bridge clubs, and book groups.

Gwyneth is preceded in death by her husband Bert and her oldest son, Richard.  She is survived by her daughter Barbara (Kenneth R, deceased) and sons Herbert and John (Anne) and her grandchildren, Kenneth Gallagher, Connor Gallagher, Leslie Nightingale, Robert Nightingale, Ian Nightingale (Helen) and Daniel Nightingale.

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