Name: Visitation for Gwendolyn Amory Cumming
Start: 2022-01-13T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-01-13T23:00:00.000Z
Location: R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton

Gwendolyn Amory Cumming, widow of Robert McLean Cumming, died on January 11, 2022 at the age of 90 years. The daughter of George W. and Alma Lockard Amory, she was a longtime resident of Hampton and was a graduate of Hampton High School in 1948. Gwen received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia, now the University of Mary Washington, in 1952. She was the president of the student government, received the Kiwanis award for leadership and was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She then taught school in Hampton for 4 years at George Wythe Junior High School.

A longtime member of St. John's Episcopal Church, she served 2 terms on the vestry, several terms on the Endowment fund and was the assistant treasurer of the Finance committee. Gwen was a longtime member of the former Hampton General Hospital Board of Trustees. She was a member of the first Board of Visitors of Mary Washington College and was appointed for 17 years. During this time, she served as the chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for 15 years, as the director of the University of Mary Washington Foundation Board, and served on the Alumni Board. Gwen was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Library of Virginia and its Foundation Board for 5 years. She served as a member of the Sentara Healthcare Board of Directors and the Sentara Healthcare Trustees Board.

Gwen was a founding member of the Hampton History Museum Association's Board of Directors which raised funds and oversaw the building of the Hampton History Museum. She was also a member of the Hampton Yacht Club, the Bracket Club, the Kecoughtan Literary Circle of Hampton and a sustainer member of the Junior League of Hampton Roads. She was named as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Hampton Rotary Club and received the City of Hampton Distinguished Citizen Award. Gwen also co-chaired the 400th Celebration of the City of Hampton.

She is survived by her four children: Robert McLean Cumming Jr. and wife Lisa of Williamsburg, Wendy Amory Cumming of Hampton, Ann Randolph Cumming Milligan of Williamsburg, and George Amory Cumming of Richmond; her six grandchildren, Robert III and wife Lia, Kristen and husband Alan, Robert, Lawson, Mabel, and Mary Gwen; and her great grandchildren Emma and Grant.

The family will receive friends at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Thursday, January 13 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Due to COVID restrictions a private family service and interment will be conducted at St. John's Episcopal Church, Hampton. The service will be available on YouTube at stjohnshampton.org.

Memorials may be sent to the Hampton History Museum Association or St. John's Episcopal Church Hampton.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers for their dedication and kindness.

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

Published by Daily Press on Jan. 13, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Gwendolyn Cumming

Sponsored by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton.

19 Entries

Sylvia Weinstein Craft

January 6, 2025

Missing her as much today as the day she left us...

Mary Caroline Boerner

January 8, 2023

My prayers and sympathy go to all you children. I will always remember you Mom for the many hours at the YMCA and Wythe Pool supporting our kids for many years. Running into Gwen at Ming Gate and how we missed it when they closed. So many fun times. Will always have Happy Memoories of your Mom.
Mary Caroline Boerner

Bill Tennis

May 9, 2022

One of the best in our community. Will miss her smile, friendship and warm greetings.

Martha Forrest

January 16, 2022

I grew up on Linden Avenue two doors down from Gwen´s parents. I was a child and I remember standing on our front porch watching her in her wedding gown get in the car. Years later we met again at the Old Point Christmas party. Always enjoyed talking to her.

Pat Roscopf

January 15, 2022

Wendy, sorry to learn of your mother's passing. Prayers for comfort sent!

Debby Groome WIlkerson

January 15, 2022

My Love and sympathy to my cousins. I am grateful I did see Aunt Gwen back in 2019 when in Hampton for a visit. She was always kind and thoughtful and I have many happy memories of Aunt Gwen and Uncle Bobby at Grandfather and LeeLee's house (346 East Pembroke Ave) Sundays after Church. I will always think of her now reunited with Uncle Bobby the love of her life.

John and Margaret Brittingham

January 15, 2022

Prayers for the family,I grew up with the Cummings on Ericcson Drive.

Ruth Winslow and Virgil Winslow

January 14, 2022

Gwen was such an inspiration to many people around the Hampton area. She was a gracious, friendly and caring lady to everyone she met. We will miss her great smile and all the things she worked for in Hampton will miss her leadership.

Mary Caroline Boerner

January 14, 2022

My Prayers and Love to all of you Children. Gwen was very special and I always enjoyed any time I had with her. Mary Caroline Boerner

Melissa Sharpley

January 13, 2022

I was lucky enough to have Miss Amory (as she was known then) as a teacher at George Wythe Junior High after my mother informed the principal that in no uncertain terms, she wanted me in Gwen's class as opposed to the class into which I had already been assigned. My parents, Irene and Miles Farster, and my sister Beverly (who attended Mary Washington with Gwen though was a freshman when Gwen was a senior) were all close friends. Gwen took a special interest in each of her students and is definitely one of the best teachers I ever had. She was quite special to me. I used to see her frequently around town and always in church but moved away from Hampton years ago. I extend my deepest sympathy to her family, but know you will have great memories to comfort you as you grieve her loss. My prayers are with you all.

Sue Tillery

January 13, 2022

Wendy and family members, So sorry to learn of your mother's passing. May God give you peace and comfort in this time of loss. I will remember her fondly, from spending time playing at your house when we were kids to many recent years of U of Mary Washington gatherings.

Nancy Powell Sykes '62

January 13, 2022

I am saddened to learn of Gwen's passing.
I was a student of hers at George Wythe Junior High School but we became friends as members of the Peninsula Chapter Mary Washington Alumae Association 60 years ago (!). We attended many chapter meetings over the years. We loved to wear hats and were the last members to give up the practice. She was always the lady but forceful when necessary. Many give her the credit for insisting on keeping the traditional look of the college when
extensive renovations were done years ago.
My sympathies to the family.

January 13, 2022

So sorry to hear about your loss. You know that God and Jesus are in the best position to comfort us when we lose a loved one in death.

Thomas Jackson

January 13, 2022

So sorry for your loss. Your mom was a very beautiful woman, and she was special to me while Bob and I were growing up. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Sylvia Weinstein Craft

January 13, 2022

Deepest and loving sympathy to each of you. . Your mom was my teacher at George Wythe Junior High School. We reconnected about 15 years ago and would meet for lunch every month for raucous, happy visits when we would remember "those high school days." We both knew so many of the same Peninsula friends. Our times together will be a lasting memory for me. I loved your mom. May her memory be a blessing.

Anne Smith

January 13, 2022

I will truly miss my friend as she was a wonderful source of family knowledge and filled a void when my mother passed. The epitome of a gracious lady...always in my heart:)

Sarah Darling

January 13, 2022

Gwen was so loved by many generations of my family. The light she brought to this world will be missed. Godspeed

Joan Whittemore Loock

January 12, 2022

My sympathy goes out to the family. When I was living in Hampton, Gwen and I served on a number of boards together including the Board of Mary Washington. She will be missed.

Michael Connly

January 12, 2022

May God bless and comfort you and your family. Gwen was a wonderful and amazing presence at St. John's, her smile was ever-present and contagious. May light perpetual shine upon her.

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