Marjorie Gwennap

Marjorie Keller

Gwennap

Asheville - Marjorie Keller Gwennap, 88, of Asheville, passed away at the John F. Keever Solace Center on August 2, 2015.

Marge was born December 13, 1926 in Wheeling, WV to the late Shields and Ethel (Appel) Keller. She attended Bethany College near Wheeling where she met her husband of 62 years, Jack R. Gwennap, who died in 2012.

After graduation, Marge began her teaching career - one that spanned more than 30 years and included every age from preschool to high school. After moving to Asheville in 1960, Marge and Jack joined Arden Presbyterian Church, a place of love and comfort to her over the years. The friends she made at Arden became like family to her. Marge taught kindergarten at Arden Presbyterian Preschool for 14 years and then continued on as the music teacher there for many more. She worked as the church receptionist until 2012, a job she always said was her favorite.

Marge loved sports and rarely missed a game that her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren were involved in. She particularly loved baseball and could always be found behind the batter's box with her scorecard in hand. She was a Carolina Tar Heel through and through and spent almost every summer day cheering for the Atlanta Braves.

Marge is survived by her daughter, Sheila Wright and her husband, Ed, of Candler and her son Tim Gwennap and his wife, Libby, of Arden. In addition, Nana will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Kacy Depenbrock and her husband, Patrick, of Southern Pines, NC, Matt Wright and his wife, Heather, of Asheville, Todd Gwennap and his wife, Jenn, of Greenville, NC and Ty Gwennap and his wife, Anna, of Durham, NC. She was a treasure to her great-grandchildren: Ava, Anna, John, Sam and Caroline Depenbrock, Jack, Audrey and Raney Gwennap, Thomas and Eleanor Wright and Kathryn Gwennap. Marge is also survived by her sister, Narka Ryan and her husband, Bill, of Catonsville, MD. Nieces Kathy Hall (Patrick), Margie Herbert (John) and nephews Bill Ryan and Tom Ryan and their children were also very special to her.

A memorial service will be held at Arden Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 2:30 PM with Marge's grandson, the Reverend Todd Gwennap and the Reverend Ken Crabb officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mercy Ministry of Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC 28704, CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 (www.carepartnersfoundation.org) or to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806 (www.eblencharities.org).

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family and a memorial guest register is available online at www.grocefuneralhome.com.