Gladys M. Goodwin

Gladys M. (Gay) Goodwin, (nee Lowery) was born on March 10, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Martin B. and Gladys M. (nee Beck) Lowery. Passed into God's loving arms surrounded by her children on October 23, 2025 in Port Charlotte, FL.
Gay was the last surviving beloved sister of 8: Martin B (Rita) Lowery, CJ (Joe) Lowery, Rita (Bernie) Brady, Daniel Lowery, Mary (Roger) Tranckino, John (Bernice) Lowery, Rosalie (Robert) Rownd, and Timothy (Janice) Lowery. As the oldest daughter in a family of 9 children, she learned early in life to care for her many younger siblings to assist her mother. She became a caretaker at an early age, and proudly cared for siblings, 6 children, and grandchildren throughout the years.
Loving wife of the late William R. Schellhorn and the late Joseph N. Goodwin. She bravely cared for both husbands as they passed to God after long illnesses.
She married William R. Schellhorn in 1951, and together became proud and loving parents of 6 children: Mary (Gary) Marchlewicz, Sharon Baranyi, Susan (Philip) Wojcik, William M. (Tracy) Schellhorn, Jean (Tom) Evans, and Rita (Richard) Mallory. Bill and Gay raised their family in Chicago for many years, and were active parishioners at St. Felicitas Church and volunteered with the Christian Family Movement. They moved to Glen Ellyn in 1968. After being widowed in 1973 at age 43, Gay bravely continued to raise most of her children alone.
She was fondly known as "Grandma Gay" to her 15 grandchildren and 16+ great grandchildren. When she married Joseph N. Goodwin in 1984, "Grandpa Joe" joined the family and his 7 children and their many grandchildren filled their home with the love and laughter that large combined families often bring. Joe's children are Barbara (Tom) Finn, John (Dar) Goodwin, the late David Goodwin, Paul (Donna) Goodwin, Tom (Catherine) Goodwin, Terri (Bruce) McDonnell, and Sharon (Jack) Kennard.
Their home in Glen Ellyn often hosted holiday parties, bridal and baby showers, large dinners, always with grandchildren enjoying their grandparents and cousins. Gay and Joe were also active volunteers with St. Petronille Church and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Gay was always willing to help out her children and grandchildren in happy times as well as in times of crisis. She was always the caretaker, stepping up to help. She will be missed terribly.