Gwendolyn J. Gill

On Sunday, October 20th, 2019 Gwendolyn (Wendy) Gill, loving wife, mother of three daughters, and Nana to her grandchildren took her last climb and ascended into Heaven at the age of 70. Wendy bravely and fiercely fought her battle with cancer until the end. Wendy passed away at Hackensack Hospital in NJ, with her loving husband and daughters holding her hands. Wendy was born on May 17, 1949 in Middletown, NY to Robert and Elinor Thorpe. She graduated Port Jervis High School in 1967. She married her first husband David Rake in 1968 and had three girls. Wendy married Robert Gill on May 10, 1999 at Mohonk Mountain House. Wendy decided in her 50's to fulfill a lifetime dream and decided to go back to school where she earned her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Special Education with a minor in Social Studies. She retired from Bergen County Special Services in 2016. Wendy grew up in Sparrow Bush, NY playing sports with the boys in the neighborhood, developed a love for horses, and was in the Matamoras, PA Drum and Bugle Core. Her idea of a great night was dancing the night away. As a young mom she continued her love of sports by coaching her daughters' softball little league team as well as playing in woman's softball leagues herself in Matamoras PA and in Branchville NJ. She also helped run a bowling league in Port Jervis NY, that her daughters were in as well as being an avid bowler in leagues herself. Wendy enjoyed family camping trips. Wendy continued her love of sports and the outdoors by becoming certified to be an instructor in rock climbing, ropes courses, as well as building and designing ropes courses. She then dedicated years working and volunteering at Girl Scout camps in Glen Spey NY, as a life guard and ropes course instructor, where her sense of adventure and appreciation of the natural world combined, making her an in inspiring leader, colleague, and friend. She helped both children and adults develop the self-discipline, integrity, self-worth, and bravery needed to face and conquer life's challenges with confidence, enthusiasm, and joy. It is here, 50' in the trees that Wendy met Robert. Wendy worked for 24 years at Bergen County Special Services in New Jersey. She kept the Assistive Tech. and Augmentative Communication Department well organized, always on the cutting edge of the latest technology and just made life easier for all of her colleagues. Wendy loved to research all the newest technologies available to assist students. Then took the time to teach herself how to use it and turn-key it to staff and students. She was truly a great asset to BCSS and Educational Enterprises. Wendy loved watching all sports but baseball was her favorite. Kyle Busch was her favorite Nascar driver. Watching her granddaughter Riley wrestle was a passion of hers up unto her death. She enjoyed rock climbing, camping in her RV, ropes courses, skiing, rafting, and riding on the ski doo at the home she bought for retirement in WV. Wendy was predeceased by her father Robert Thorpe, her mother Elinor Thorpe, and her brother Lawrence Thorpe. Wendy is survived by her husband Robert Gill of Middletown, NY daughter Lisa Frey and husband Keith of Monroe NY, daughter Deanna Rake and husband Willis Ware of Princeton TX, and daughter Jessicca Spears and husband Ronald of San Angelo TX. She is also survived by her sister Virginia Ross and husband Butch of Biloxi Mississippi, sister Stacey Davis and her husband Jim of Knoxville TN, and eight grandchildren: Taylor, Connor, Haley, Riley, Leah, Sean, Arabella, And Alyssa. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 29, 2019, at one of her favorite places, Mohonk Mountain House, from 1:00-5:00 for close friends and family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas & Brendan T. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc.