Gwen Ann Scaggiari

1955 - 2021

Gwen Ann Scaggiari (nee Tabeek) - Our wonderful and much loved sister, aunt, and great aunt passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, NV on August 11, 2021.

Gwen was born to Amin Charles and Jelean Tabeek at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ on January 2, 1955. The second of six children, she attended St. Gregory's and Clarendon elementary schools and attended St. Mary's High School and graduated early from West High in December 1972. She then enrolled at ASU where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture, graduating in 1978. Following graduation, she began her career working for Phoenix based Goodman's Design Interiors, transferring to manage their new store in Las Vegas. In 1982, she met local musician Jim Scaggiari, a dashing trumpet player who swept her off her feet. The two were married the following year on April 11, 1983, beginning a lifelong romance. Together they established a home in Las Vegas and so began a parade of puppy dogs (mostly miniature schnauzers) which would become their family. What followed was a life together of adventures and romance, from trips to San Diego and the Yucatan peninsula to annual holidays scuba diving in Hawaii. Jim alternated between touring with Big Band icons like Harry James, recording with Blood Sweat and Tears and many others in the studio, and playing locally with stars like Count Basie and Tony Bennett or in casino house bands. Tragically, Jim passed away in September of 1997.

Meanwhile, sensing big changes coming for Nevada, in 1988 Gwen decided to go into business for herself, opening Scaggiari's Interiors by Design. Beginning with a small staff, her company proceeded to enjoy great success in the new and burgeoning Las Vegas market, eventually growing to a full-service design enterprise with more than 20 employees. She was recognized by the industry for exemplary projects like the FIB Tower, a joint venture involving First Interstate Bank and Howard Hughes Properties and the tallest building in Nevada at the time. She also provided design services to offices large and small, auto dealerships, restaurants and even private residences. She was involved with the Legislative Coalition of Interior Designers-Nevada drafting language for a 1995 state law licensing interior designers, and she proudly held Nevada certificate #002 as a Registered Interior Designer. In 2003 she was named one of the "Women to Watch" in the Las Vegas Business Journal story about local women business leaders. She eventually sold her interest in the company and retired in 2011, but not before leaving her mark on countless interiors all over the Vegas metro area and the southwestern U.S. interior design industry itself.

Gwen was a giver with a heart of gold, generous and always ready to help in whatever way she could. She was a source for counsel and comfort with a passion for life that was the essence of her being. She was always saving some creature, a baby bird or stray cat; she literally couldn't and wouldn't hurt a fly. She will be missed.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband and soulmate Jim, and her mother and father, both of Phoenix, AZ. She is survived by her siblings, sisters Gail Luck, Theresa Woudenberg (Ed), Jana Tabeek (Dennis Ronan), and brothers Michael (Jolene) and Brian, and numerous nieces, and nephews and more recently those she lovingly called her 'greats'. A celebration of Gwen's life will be held for friends and family next year with details to be announced. No services scheduled.