Goodbye teacher, dancer, poet, friend
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on October 30, 2012
A week ago today we celebrated the life of Thurlow Gowan.
The meeting area of Bevan Lodge was crowded with family and friends. Guests shared memories, music and, of course, lots of poetry.
Family members and representatives from the Saskatchewan Superannuated Teachers Group, Abbotsford Square Dance Club and MSA Poets Potpourri Society all gave tributes.
Tributes to Thurlow Gowan
At the reception we continued to share memories and stories over coffee and goodies.
Socializing at the reception – Thurlow’s Celebration of Life
The memorabilia table included Thurlow’s banjo, cap, and two books with collections of his poems. Many attendees left with Picking Flowers, MSA PPS’s latest anthology that features his poems, in hand.
Memorabilia – Thurlow Gowan
On display was this keepsake from his teaching days. The story behind it is that at retirement his students absconded with his lunch bucket, flattened it, then mounted it on a desktop as a memento of his years as a teacher.
The Master of Ceremonies left us with these thoughtful words from Thurlow himself.
“The River We All Must Cross” by Thurlow Gowan
Rest In Peace dear friend.
Fraser Valley Poets Society 
Leave a Reply