Gwendolyn Peart (Ms. Gwen, Mama Peart, Grandma Peart), 90, of Worcester, Massachusetts, died Tuesday, January 20th, at Christopher House in Worcester. Her husband of 55 years, Linford A. Peart predeceased her in 2012. She leaves five children, Beverly H. Barrett and her husband Ramsay of North Charleston SC, Glendon A. Peart and his wife Monica of Worcester, Trevor L. Peart and his wife Donna of Worcester, Rosemarie A. Grant and her husband Omar of Piscataway NJ, and Leighton S. Peart of Worcester. She is also survived by a brother, Neville Stewart and his wife, Dyzma of Leicester; eleven grandchildren; many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by six brothers and two sisters.
Gwendolyn was born to Herbert and Maud Stewart, and raised in Manchester, Jamaica. She married Linford and they moved to Kingston to raise their family. She attended Church of the Resurrection in Duhaney Park where she served as a Vestry member, President of the Mother’s Union, and a member of the choir. Gwendolyn migrated to the United States in 1982, where she joined All Saints Episcopal Church and continued a life defined by faith, dedication, and love for family and community. A woman of deep faith, she was a faithful member of All Saints Church, serving as a lector, singing joyfully in the choir, and serving on the discernment committee for The Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She devoted 27 years of service to St. Vincent Hospital, where she was known for her strong work ethic and caring nature, retiring in 2009.
Gwendolyn had many talents and hobbies that brought her both peace and purpose. She loved crocheting, knitting, quilting, and cooking, often creating things that were as comforting as they were beautiful. She enjoyed relaxing with her favorite television programs. An avid reader, she was also delighted in crossword puzzles and word searches, always keeping her mind active and engaged.
Gwendolyn will be remembered as a strong, loving, and generous woman whose home and heart were always open. She showed her love through action—by feeding people, taking young folks in, and creating a safe space for those who needed it. Guided by her faith, she lived with honesty, humor, and resilience, teaching those around her how to endure hard times, laugh through them, and find a way forward. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and the lessons she left behind.
Her visitation will be on Friday, February 6th from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at All Saint’s Church, 10 Irving Street, Worcester MA, followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue, Paxton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to All Saint’s Church.