Search by Name

Search by Name

Gwendolyn Kay Tilson

1951 - 2016

Gwendolyn Kay Tilson obituary, 1951-2016, Phoenix, AZ

BORN

1951

DIED

2016

Gwendolyn Tilson Obituary

Tilson, Gwendolyn Kay
was born in Flagstaff Arizona on February 2nd 1951 and passed away October 18th 2016 after a long stay in the hospital from complications of her paraplegia . She was born to William Boyd Wolfington and Hazel Adonna Wolfington. Gwens parents were fairly prominent citizens of the city of Holbrook her father was a city councilman and the mayor for many years her mother was a captain of the Navajo County Sheriff's Department.She was very proud of her Arizona native heritage her grandparents and her parents were born and raised in Arizona. Gwen was preceded in death by her mother and father and her nephew Trevor Wolfington she is survived by her husband David Tilson her son Jason Tilson and his wife Heidi her daughter Allison Beaver and her husband Ed her grandchildren Thomas Beaver and Emma Beaver and Jaxon Tilson and Zoey Tilson her brother Greg Wolfington and his wife Kathy, sister-in-law Mary Ann Cross and her husband Rob, brother-in-law Tim Tilson and his wife Lisa, brother-in-law Mike Tilson and his wife Joy Weldon brother-in-law Elwin Tilson and his wife Charlene. Many nieces and nephews on the Tilson and Wolfington side of the family. Her Father took a job when Gwen was 6 months old teaching high school and Holbrook Arizona. Gwen spent much of her young life in Holbrook raising pets of all kinds, dogs cats rabbits goats pigs . But the great love of her early life was horses. From the age of seven she was on a horse everywhere in town she rode her horse to school she rode her horse all over to the grocery store. She rode her favorite horse Honey to Dave Tilson house to introduce herself when he moved in town her senior year in high school. Their relationship blossomed from there and they were married and 1970 and had two children Jason Tilson and Allison Tilson. When the children were three and four the family got transferred to Phoenix from Holbrook in 1974.Gwen spend a year going to Eastern Arizona Community College and another year going to Mesa Community College. When they first got to Phoenix Gwen worked as a cashier at Safeway then she worked as a waitress at Bellair Golf Club and she finally found her calling working as a locator for Blue Stake which is a underground utility location firm. She was working there in 1980 when she was involved in a car wreck in Kingman that caused her paraplegia. The entire family's life changed at that point. But she spent the next 37 years in that wheelchair doing what her purpose in life was. She worked as an advocate for handicapped ADA and for individual rights. She worked as a trainer at the rehab for new people that were in chairs so she could demonstrate some of the skills that they would need to live a productive life in the wheelchair. She was very active in the Fiesta Bowl ambassadors group serving as a VIP host for many dignitaries and their wives. Over the last 11 years her real passion in life was for her grandchildren. She's taking them to the cabin and she's taking then to Disneyland to Legoland the San Diego Zoo, and the butterfly Wonderland and to the Science Museum. Please join the tales of the family and when celebration for life at the pera Club at 10:30 Saturday October 29th. The address is 1 East Continental Drive Tempe Arizona 85281

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Oct. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Gwendolyn Tilson

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

September 3, 2019

This Lovely caring woman was my grandma and my hero. The day she died was a sad sad day. I'm Emma if you were wondering.

A B

October 28, 2016

Sorry to hear of the passing of Gwendolyn. Our deep sympathy to you and your family. We appreciated her as a very determined, brave and smart lady. May the "God of all comfort" be with your family and give you strength and peace. 2 Corenthians 1:3,4

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in Gwendolyn Tilson's name

Memorial Events
for Gwendolyn Tilson

Oct

29

Celebration of Life

10:30 a.m.

at the pera Club

1 East Continental Drive, Tempe, AZ

How to support Gwendolyn's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Gwendolyn Tilson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more