Gwen Ersilia Omans

Gwen Ersilia Omans, 87, passed away on August 29, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Gwen retired at her home on North Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, where she shared her kindness, creativity, and energy with her family, friends, and community. She devoted much of her retirement volunteering for places in Fort Pierce like Sarah’s Kitchen, St Paul AME Church for the Multicultural Resource Center for Children & Families (MRC) and the Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society. She had a gift for crocheting little animals that she shared and donated to friends, family, people in need, and children at local hospitals. She had a love of bright colors and snapdragons, and a spirit that thrived near the water. Whether kayaking, walking along the beach, fishing , hiking or spending time with family at the cottage on Lake Huron in Ontario, Gwen found joy in nature and simple moments.

Gwen went to school while raising her five children and successfully completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Development - Youth Adult Services on 6/22/1978, and then received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Guidance on 12/17/1983. She went on to pursue a successful career in counseling, retiring from the State of Michigan.

She was devoted to helping others. Small in stature, she was remembered as “tiny but mighty,” with a heart as vibrant as the colors she loved.

Survivors include her children, Diane Marie Omans Wainwright of Raleigh, NC, Jeffrey Thomas Omans of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Thomas Gerald Omans of Shelby Township, MI, Christine Margaret (John) Canard of Fort Pierce, FL, and Jane Elizabeth Omans of Barefoot Bay, FL; sisters, Peggy Gerada Elwarner of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and Linda Hyatt of Sterling Heights, MI; grandchildren, Robbie Weekes, Jr., Alexis Valentin, Adriana Omans, Trevor Omans, Emmett Wainwright IV, Abigail “Abby” Wainwright, and Scott Steinbrecher; and great-grandchildren, Ava Hudson, Selena Valentin, and Sonia Valentin.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Franklin Omans, and siblings, Janet Chaban, John Gerada, Carol Shaw, Larry Gerada, and Bob Gerada.

Donations can be made on behalf of Gwen Omans to The Fort Pierce Jazz and Blues Society scholarship fund, or Sarah's Kitchen at First Bethel Baptist Missionary Church in Fort Pierce.

Services: Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, followed by a service at 12:00 PM at Haisley Funeral Home, Fort Pierce.