Gwendolyn "Gwen" Mary Tierney
October 18, 1937-December 21, 2025
Gwendolyn “Gwen” Mary Tierney, 88, beloved mother, wife, aunt, sister, and Nana, died peacefully on December 21, 2025, with her loving family by her side.
Gwen’s zest for life, adventure, and achievement took root early. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Gaylord P. and Alma M. Haas. When Gwen was two, the family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, where her father worked as an Army communications engineer and her mother as a telephone operator. From high atop a hill, they witnessed the events of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, an experience Gwen could recall in vivid detail throughout her life.
The family later moved to Arlington, Virginia, where Gwen became a standout basketball player at Notre Dame Academy. She chose a career in nursing and graduated in 1957 from Cleveland’s St. John’s School of Nursing. Gwen began her professional career at St. Louis University Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Dr. William (“Bill”) Tierney.
Together they welcomed their first two children, Pamela Marie and William Francis (“Pat”), before moving to Langley Air Force Base when Bill was commissioned as a Captain and served as a surgeon. There, they welcomed daughters Bridget Mary (Tinglef) and Mary Kathleen (Pultorak). The family eventually settled in Anderson, Indiana, where Bill and Gwen built a full life together, established Bill’s successful general surgery practice, and welcomed their son, Mark Timothy.
After joining the Anderson Country Club, Gwen quickly discovered she was a natural golfer, and the game became her lifelong passion. She practiced as much as she played and could get out of any trouble. A true strategist, she assessed every variable to determine the best outcome of each shot. Gwen won an impressive 25 club championships and holds several records in the Indiana Women’s Senior Golf Association, including most championship wins (eight). She also won the 1997 Women’s Western Golf Association national tournament in Hot Springs, Virginia. Still, her greatest joy came from playing golf with her husband (occasionally letting him win), her family, and dear friends. She loved teaching the game, often reminding others to “swing it easy when it’s breezy.”
While raising her family, Gwen volunteered her time as a Pink Lady with the Victoria Guild and was a long-time member of Indiana’s Tri Kappa service sorority. One of her favorite roles was dressing as a witch—complete with a famous cackle—for the organization’s beloved annual Halloween Spook House.
Gwen was also passionate about contract bridge and built a close-knit community through her weekly games. After many years of tournaments, she proudly achieved Life Master Silver status.
Throughout her life, Gwen loved to travel and skillfully planned memorable trips for her family—road-tripping in station wagons and vans, chatting on the CB radio, and singing along to her favorite 1970s music. Her fearless spirit taught her children that great things could be achieved at any age. They will always remember her loving nature, unflappable sense of humor, and the style, grace, and elegance she embodied.
Gwen’s favorite role was being Nana to her grandchildren: Thomas, Meghan, Michael, and Matthew Tierney; Blake Tinglef; Ava, Jack, and Luke Pultorak; and John and Elizabeth Tierney. She beamed with pride and cherished time spent with them—whether watching their activities, playing golf together, or vacationing at the Jersey Shore. She equally adored her daughters-in-law, Kim Tierney (Pat) and Catherine Stewart (Mark), and her sons-in-law, Jan Tinglef (Bridget) and Christopher Pultorak (Mary).
Gwen was preceded in death by her beloved husband and partner of 46 years, Bill; her parents; and her brothers, Gaylord Haas Jr. and Geoffrey Haas.
She is survived by her sister, Germaine Bartkowski; her treasured sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews in the Haas and Tierney extended families.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 26, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 27, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gwen’s name to the Tierney Scholarship at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Foundation: give.stvincent.org/Anderson.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com