Gwendolyn A. Gregoire

Gwendolyn Anne Gregoire, 85 of Indianapolis passed away on January 6, 2023. She was born in Benton Maine on October 23rd, 1937 to the late Leo and Edith (Gerald) Foster. She was survived by children Dawn Decker, Marc Gregoire and Dan Gregoire. She was a loving mother, grand-mother and great grandmother.

Stillinger Family Funeral Home is honored to care for Gwendolyn's Family.

Gwen Gregoire Euglogy

Gwen, our friend and mother, was a vibrant soul, one who literally lit up the room whenever she entered. And right up until she became less able to get around, she was full of joy and always eager to help, no matter what the problem was. She never complained at her unenviable task, nor did she ever turn anyone away – be it family, friends, or local faces, wanting to stop by the house for a quick chat.

She was born in the small town of Benton Maine where she had 3 brothers and a sister. They were very poor, but she managed to hold her head up high. She grew up on a farm and walked to school each day. Gwen had an inherent love of music, in -particular, country music. When she was a young girl, she sang on the radio station on stage. She loved to harmonize. And even up to her death, she would help at the assisted living with the church group songs when others would come to visit.

At a young age she met the love of her life Donald. She gave up the singing life at age 17 to marry and have 3 children, Dan, Marc and Dawn. She had moved out of home at a young age to explore the world and create her own stamp on life. She maintained long-term friendships and interests from her school days, and always emphasized the importance of a good education to us all and for our own children.

After moving many places to keep jobs to feed the family, Gwen started working a long career at Community Hospital Cancer center where she stayed for 20 yrs. She met many people and maintained friendships there until her death. She volunteered for the retirees before she lost her memory but was still concerned about staying in touch.

During her years of raising children and working full time, she enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening and bike riding. She would tell her kids how the air felt, the thoughts she shared and the wonderment of life's unanswered questions. She was always singing and dancing to a beat. She loved to harmonize while her sons played their guitars, and they would all join in and sing old country songs. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word to say. She never wanted to bother anyone.

After being married for 60 years, her husband Don passed away, she was on her own. She thrived, though, in her own way – always keeping busy, never feeling sorry for herself, and always excited to see her kids, grandkids and friends. After being single and alone for a year, she met a great friend and new love, Dave. She was a giddy, school girl who received attention and love from this sweet soul. His companionship made her shine.

Gwen was the kind of person who really appreciated her friends and family. She loved getting phone calls from her friends and learning that they were all ok. She loved to talk about funny memories of her sister Eva, how strong and assertive she was, and how Gwen was the timid one between the two. She would often laugh at the conversations she would have with her niece Tammy who would check on her frequently. She made sure her phone calls were light, carefree and with the sole purpose to comfort and make her aunt laugh. Gwen would share those stories with others and would often comment how she loved to get those calls. She always seemed to feel good about herself when they hung up the phone. Thank you Tammy, and all of her friends, for caring about our mother, and putting in that effort for her all these years. Thank you all for being there for her when she needed you.

Gwen would often joke with her daughter, that she better not put an awful picture of her up at her own memorial or in her obituary. So, she picked out her own obituary picture. Little did she know when could not take a bad picture. Her love and zest glows in her face. Her smile shines in every picture she takes. She liked to look at her graduation picture, wishing she was younger again. The one you see here before you. She would show others the love note she wrote on the back to her husband Don and would sometimes shed a tear while reading it. We wanted to show it to you in her honor today, it is beautiful.

Lasting memories of Gwen are simple: She was a beautiful soul, generous and uplifting to all who came in contact with her. She was instantly likeable. A hard-working, passionate figure of strength who never waned in her support or love of her family, who soldiered on, even when times were tough.

I Thought Of You Today

I thought of you with love today

but that is nothing new

I thought about you yesterday

and days before that too.

I think of you in silence

I often speak your name

All I have are memories

and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake

with which I'll never part

God has you in his keeping

I have you in my heart.

Mom, it is a great privilege as your daughter to write these memories of you and to express the sadness that all of us share over losing you. Mom, thank you for everything you've given us – and the warmth we shared during your precious time on earth. God has his arms wrapped around you now. We will all hold your hand again.