Marjorie Keller Gwennap
December 13, 1926 ~ August 2, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Marjorie Keller Gwennap, 88, of Asheville, passed away at the John F. Keever Solace Center on August 2, 2015.
Marge was born December 13, 1926 in Wheeling, WV to the late Shields and Ethel (Appel) Keller. She attended Bethany College near Wheeling where she met her husband of 62 years, Jack R. Gwennap, who died in 2012.
After graduation, Marge began her teaching career – one that spanned more than 30 years and included every age from preschool to high school. After moving to Asheville in 1960, Marge and Jack joined Arden Presbyterian Church, a place of love and comfort to her over the years. The friends she made at Arden became like family to her. Marge taught kindergarten at Arden Presbyterian Preschool for 14 years and then continued on as the music teacher there for many more. She worked as the church receptionist until 2012, a job she always said was her favorite.
Marge loved sports and rarely missed a game that her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren were involved in. She particularly loved baseball and could always be found behind the batter's box with her scorecard in hand. She was a Carolina Tar Heel through and through and spent almost every summer day cheering for the Atlanta Braves.
Marge is survived by her daughter, Sheila Wright and her husband, Ed, of Candler and her son Tim Gwennap and his wife, Libby, of Arden. In addition, Nana will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Kacy Depenbrock and her husband, Patrick, of Southern Pines, NC, Matt Wright and his wife, Heather, of Asheville, Todd Gwennap and his wife, Jenn, of Greenville, NC and Ty Gwennap and his wife, Anna, of Durham, NC. She was a treasure to her great-grandchildren: Ava, Anna, John, Sam and Caroline Depenbrock, Jack, Audrey and Raney Gwennap, Thomas and Eleanor Wright and Kathryn Gwennap. Marge is also survived by her sister, Narka Ryan and her husband, Bill, of Catonsville, MD. Nieces Kathy Hall (Patrick), Margie Herbert (John) and nephews Bill Ryan and Tom Ryan and their children were also very special to her.
A memorial service will be held at Arden Presbyterian Church on August 6, 2015 at 2:30 PM with Marge's grandson, the Reverend Todd Gwennap and the Reverend Ken Crabb officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mercy Ministry of Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC 28704, CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 (www.carepartnersfoundation.org) or to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806 (www.eblencharities.org).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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Sheila and Ed, Sending my condolences on your loss.
Your mom was a special lady. I know you’ll miss her. Our prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. Your mother was a very caring and special lady. My prayers are with you.
To the Gwennap Family: My heart goes out to all of you. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have so many fond memories of Jack and Marge Gwennap. Both of them were so positive and uplifting with whom they met. Your loss is heaven\’s gain.
Tommy and Jessie Koontz
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Marge. We can look forward to the promises found at Isaiah 26:19 and Revelation 21:3,4. Soon, all things causing pain including death will be done away with on earth. May you find the strength to endure in the days ahead.
Thinking of you during your time of loss. All of you children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are an incredible living legacy of her wonderful, well-lived life!
Such a sweet lady. Another angel to watch over us. So sorry for your loss.
To all of the Gwennapp family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Marge and Jack were always such a positive influence. I remember them both at the APC softball games and at church. They have touched so many lives, and will be greatly missed. Our love , thoughts and prayers for you all.
To the Gwennapp family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Marge was such a spirited and christian lady. Such fond memories of church, community and family activites. She truely touched many lives.
We are so sorry to hear that Mrs Gwennap past away. Rest in Peace..She was a wonderful lady. God Bless you all. Atlas Fox,Chris Fox and Kenan Fox.
Gary and I are so sorry for the lose of Marge!!! What grand plans God has for this wonderful lady!!!So many memories and fun. Margie will continue in Heaven cheering us on !! May God bless your families and give them peace.The memories of her love for others will always carry from one generation to another.
Love in Christ,
Gary and Wilma Conner
My thoughts and fond memories go out to the entire extended Gwennap family. Marge and Jack joined Arden Presbyterian the same year as my parents (Dan and MaryAnne Denton), and my entire childhood was linked with the Gwennap family. Marge was one of my kindergarten teachers and her son Tim gave me my first summer job. Marge and Jack were both such wonderfully positive and caring people, and it’s comforting to see such a giant family tree of folks who have grown up under their influence. My thoughts will be with the whole Gwennap family in the days and weeks ahead.
Marge was my close and cherished friend for over 40 years. My heart is heavy. Our families shared so much of our lives and always with laughter and love.
A very special lady who was always so kind to our daughter, Lindsey, in pre school. Thank you Mrs. Gwennap for your years of love and dedication to our children. You truly made a difference in the lives of so many. Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Lee & Mal Brown
So sorry to hear of your great loss of a great lady. Never easy …but relish the memories that make you smile, laugh, and cry. Draw upon them for strength during this difficult time.
We’ll always remember what a pure joy Marge was! We are so very sorry for your loss. All of you are in our thoughts.
So sad to lose such a wonderful lady. I have many happy memories of Marge and so does our daughter Ginger. When Ginger was about 3 years old she decided it would be better to live with Marge and Jack since she didn’t like the rules at our house. Our houses were almost back to back, so Ginger gets a flashlight and through the woods she goes to Marge’s house. Marge said she stayed a little while, said goodnight, got her flashlight and headed for home. Our family loved this great lady! Praying for all of you.
To all of Marge’s family. Marge and Jack were two of the first people Mike and I met when we joined Arden Presbyterian Church in 2006 and they made us feel very welcomed. We always enjoyed being in Sunday School with them. Marge was also the friendly voice that answered the phone at Arden and was always so cheerful. She will be greatly missed, just as Jack is. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marge was a very special friend to all who knew her. I will always treasure the memories of her at the baseball games. Much love to all her family.
Ty and Anna – God bless and comfort you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time.
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with each member of Marge’s family. She was a great lady and left behind a wonderful family who reflect her values and goodness.
Special thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. She was a beautiful lady and always a pleasure to be around.
My thoughts and prayers are with Marge’s family at this time.
Marge and I taught together at the Biltmore School. Marge
was a well respected teacher who touched the lives
of many 5 and 6 year olds. Marge made a
difference and encouraged children to learn by
doing in her classroom. That was many years ago
and I have many our Biltmore days and Marge.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. Marge was such a special lady and will be greatly missed by so many people. Love to all of you, Kathy and Carl Conley
So very sorry for the loss of Marge. Know your family is in our prayers during this difficult time. We know God will sustain you and give you the strength you need. Loved teaching with Marge at Arden Presbyterian Preschool for 7 years. Isaiah 41:10
I was so sorry to hear of Mrs. Gwennap’s death. All three of our children attended Arden Presbyterian Church Preschool and loved her. She was a dear sweet lady!
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sheila…What precious memories I have of your mother and you. Such an example of what being a Christian means. Your mother showed me much kindness and love during difficult times in my life. She probably never knew what an influence she had on me. I will never forget her inviting me to sing with your group and always making me feel a \part\’ of it. I pray for your peace.’
We are so sorry for your loss.
to Todd,Jenn, and the Gwennap family,my deepest sympathies are with you .Marge’s life was clearly well-lived for the Lord. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.