Gwendolyn Reed Obituary

Gwendolyn Duncan Reed died in California on Dec. 14, 2021, after a long illness. She was born in Chicago to Mattie A. Lucas-Swan and Charles I. Duncan and raised with the help of strong loving grandparents and four aunts. She graduated from DuSable H.S. January 1951, then moved to Berkeley, CA, with a goal "to study and expose the history of African Americans." She attended San Francisco State, earning an AA degree from Laney College in 1979. In 1953, She married Marvin Cyrus Reed, USN, of St. Paul, MN (decd). She retired from Alameda County in 1991 after 34 years. Gwendolyn and long-time, companion, William (Bill) Raynolds (decd), enjoyed attending music festivals & traveling across the U.S. Gwen was a supportive friend to many, an avid reader, life-long learner and researcher, collector of African American books and history, and creator of many unique works of art. She supported many artists and artist groups, volunteered with Senior Centers, Americorps Elders Network, Oakland Museum AA Advisory Council, The Art of the African Diaspora, Friends of Negro Spirituals, University YWCA Black Women's Unit, Annual Black Dolls Show, and wrote text for an artistic outdoor display at Malcolm X School in Berkeley. Gwendolyn is survived by 2 beloved children: daughter, Marva Almeta Reed; son, Dwight Thomas Reed (Alme); grandchildren: Hannah Reed, Josh Symonds-Reed; sister, Ivy Duncan; brother-cousins: Phillip Howard, Jr. (Constance); William Keyes (Rosalyn); Richard Griggs (Carolyn); cousins: Frances Estes; Givens Estes, Jr.; Donald Embers (Ann); Barbara Ray (Clyde); Carolyn Catlin (LeRoi). View/leave comments at Legacy.com.

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Published by East Bay Times from Dec. 17 to Dec. 25, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Gwendolyn Reed

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7 Entries

Charlotte jackson Coleman

December 12, 2023

It's always nice to meet good people and gain a friendship that ends to soon. They always remain in our hearts.

Charlotte Jackson-Coleman

December 30, 2022

What a treat when I met Mrs. Gwen thru The Friends of Negro Spiritual Events always a beautiful smile and getting to meet others
Especially her Sister Ms. Ivey who I saw assist her.

Rafael J. González

December 18, 2022

Gwen and I became good friends working together on the Advisory Council of the Oakland Museum of California many years ago. Gwen brought light wherever she went. I loved her dearly; she will always have a special place in my memory and my heart.

Harriet Tubman Wright

December 17, 2022

I initially met Gwen during the mid-70´s when I was Director of the Black Women´s Unit at the University YWCA in Berkeley. We convened weekly support circles and events, one of which was Kuumba-Imani, at which Gwen displayed her artwork! We kept in touch over the years... I usually saw her at the Berkeley Juneteenth Festivals, Art of the African Diaspora and Satellite events, plus a few memorials. I admired her artistic talent and dedication, cherished our friendship and truly miss her...

Nena

December 17, 2022

I remember Mrs. Reed coming into Tuesday morning store in Berkeley, always shopping for craft and painting items so she could make her projects. She was a lovable, beautiful woman always had a smile and something nice to tell me. I remember her always saying keep up the good job you´ll become a great great manager one day. The store has been closed since 2016 but I still remember you and always well rest in peace your friend Nena .

Brenda Harrison

December 17, 2022

I was a neighbor of Gwen and Marva at Savo Island for many years. I was sad to hear of her illness and passing. Please accept condolences from Brenda Harrison and the family:
Jennifer, Tira and Nigel.

Ivy

December 16, 2022

Gwendolyn was an outgoing creative force and light, a soft-spoken and persistent advocate for seniors, artists, and Black people in general. She had an affinity for remembering and recalling names and faces, seemingly never forgetting anyone she had met.

She was a life-long learner who chose reading as her main hobby; becoming a treasure trove of resources and information which she shared willingly with anyone interested. Many people in the art community, and beyond, knew and loved her, as she supported and helped many young artists by attending their shows and buying their artistic works.

She, also, had personal successes with unique one-of-a-kind arts and crafts that she created: Black dolls, Mygweni head wraps, African fabric-covered wood eggs, First-day-issued U.S. postal cards, historical American figures U.S. postal-stamp displays, pin cushions and many other artistic projects. She was self-taught to say "hello" in several languages which enabled her to quickly establish personal connections and relationships with the rich diversity of ethnicities in the Bay Area. Her outreach to young and old was vast as she made friends easily and people gravitated towards her for indepth conversations.
Missing you every day, every hour, every minute. We will see one another again.

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