Happy Valley-Goose Bay grocery store shuts down to honour clerk with 'heart of gold'

After 17 years of service, a familiar face is missing from a Happy Valley-Goose Bay grocery store.

Gwen Moores spent nearly two decades manning the cash register at Northmart, and bring smiles to the faces of co-workers and customers.

"She had a heart of gold," sister-in-law Cindy Ernst said.

"Gwen would not let anyone pass through her doors — past the counters of Northmart — unless she spoke to them. She went above and beyond for everybody."

"Gweny couldn't say no," husband Barry Moores said. "She'd jump to help somebody else."

Moores died peacefully in her sleep last week, though the 56-year-old woman's death was unexpected.

More than 400 people packed into the Salvation Army Church for Tuesday's funeral service, filling the building to capacity.

"It's unreal, I'm still amazed about it. I just can't say enough about what my mom has done for the town," son Jason said.

Jason Moores hasn't been home in 16 years, and didn't expect such a large turnout for his mother's service. 

"I just never realized how much she affected all of my friends, even just acquaintances … it's overwhelming."

"[Customers] come in and expect to still see Gwen. We do too and she's not here. It's hard."- Koula Cove

Gwen Moores served on several community committees, was an active member of the local legion and was a diehard softball fan.

"If there was a game, we were there and Mom was their number one fan," daughter Jen Moores recalled.

"Thursday night they had a moment of silence over to the ball field for her. That was a real honour to us."

A void at the till

Northmart shut its doors for several hours Tuesday to allow staff to attend the funeral service — not a common thing for the store. 

"That was a really deep sign of respect, I thought, especially for someone who has been such a presence and such an important part of the Northmart family," Koula Cove said. She worked with Gwen for about a year and a half. 

"Hearts are heavy from us [and] the customers. They come in and expect to still see Gwen. We do too and she's not here. It's hard."

Operations manager Darrell Vaters agrees. 

"You never, ever go away without having a good talk with Gwen and a laugh," he said. In his 15 years at Northmart, Vaters said the store has never been closed for a funeral. 

"There's going to be a void and its going to be a period of adjustment. She's going to missed, she's missed now."

He described Moores as a dedicated employee, an ambassador for the store and an example to new staff. 

"When we get a new one, we usually give them to Gwen — and Gwen would set them on the right track," Vaters said. 

He said the store is even considering creating a scholarship in her name.

"To keep her memory alive and let her know what she meant to us here — and what she meant to the community and what she meant to people who crossed her path."