Gwendolyn Hovis Obituary

Gwendolyn W. Hovis, 74, of 1860 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920 died unexpectedly at 8:30 AM Tuesday, December 24, in the year of our Lord 2013 at Penrose Hospital.

Born August 29, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA Gwen was the daughter of Alexander G. and Ada B. Walker. Gwen's family moved to Oil City, PA in 1943 where she graduated from Oil City High School in 1957. Gwen met her beloved husband James at the Oil City swimming pool and soon after they were united in holy matrimony at Trinity United Methodist Church on November 29, 1957. Through all the adversity they endured during their time together here on earth, they never once left each other's side for 56 glorious years.

Gwen began her working career at the Oil City Telephone Company before becoming a full time wife and mother to her two children, Julie and David. In 1969 she resumed working for the YWCA as Executive Secretary, then Health Club Instructor, and finally as Executive Director where she served for 13 years and provided excellent leadership during very challenging times.

After retiring from the YWCA, Gwen relocated to Colorado Springs, CO where she continued to work part time for the Olympic sport, USA Field Hockey, as well as volunteering with the Colorado Springs Assistance League. Gwen was an active member in Second Presbyterian Church, United Way, Literacy Council of Venango County, Belles Lettres Club, Oil City/Franklin Zonta Club, and several bridge clubs where she developed many great friendships with people she loved very much. She was an avid reader and seamstress, enjoyed knitting and crocheting, but especially loved camping trips and traveling with her family.

During the last 12 years of her life she and her husband Jim often traveled back to PA in order to help their son David recover from a tragic accident that left him confined to a wheelchair and take care of their beloved granddaughter, Sarah.

An intimate funeral service was held at 10:00 AM, December 26, 2013 at the MountainView Mortuary in Colorado Springs with only her family at her side.

She is survived by her husband, James E. Hovis Jr., daughter Julie Dale and son-in-law Warren Dale, all of Colorado Springs, CO, son J. David Hovis of Coatesville, PA, two very special grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Hovis of Coatesville, PA and David James Thomeier of Colorado Springs, CO, and one great granddaughter Brooklyn Sara Thomeier of Colorado Springs who became the wind in Gwen's sails and brought immense joy to her life during her final days. Also surviving is her very special sister, Rena Henderson McLaughlin, of Pittsburgh, PA along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends across the globe that are too numerous to mention but that she loved very much.

A memorial portrait of Gwen and a plaque will be donated to the YWCA of Oil City, PA by her family.

In lieu of flowers it was Gwen's wish to have memorials sent in her name to benefit the YWCA, 109 Central Avenue, Oil City, PA 16301. Her husband Jim will always thank God for the day he met her and she will be sorely missed by her family.