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Gwendolyn DeShong Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Gwendolyn DeShong
Jim Santangelo
August 9, 2013
We knew her as "Miss Hancock" in 1970. The use of "Ms" had not yet entered the common vernacular and she and Mr. Deshong had not yet married. She was my 10th grade English teacher and what an amazing person. Coming out of what was then "junior high" she was a breath of fresh air as a teacher. She encouraged us creatively to embrace both literature and the language. I still think of her for the encouragement she gave me to focus on my writing. It is something I enjoy to this day and am forever grateful for. My thoughts to the family, I did not really get to know Mr. Deshong although we were there at Hollywood Hills at the same time. My fondest thoughts to the family, she touched many, many lives. Jim Santangelo Class of 1973
Brandee Pelletier-Boothe
March 16, 2013
My condolences to Mike and all loved ones of Gwen. She was a special person to me-teacher, coach, mentor, and friend. She taught me valuable life lessons and was supportive of always "doing the right thing". Gwen, you will be missed. Your memory and spirit lives on in our hearts!
March 11, 2013
See You On The Other Side
March 11, 2013
One of my favorite teachers and one of the few, dare I say the only one, who left a wonderful impression on me. I remember her vividly even after 29 years. So, so sorry I missed the opportunity to let her know that I ended up making something of myself, partly because of her influence, guidence, patience and understanding. She was one of the few teachers who ever had a conversation with me about my life outside of school. A conversation I never forgot.
Thank you Mrs. Desong for being such a wonderful teacher and person. You truly will be missed. My sympathys to your family who has to go on with out you.
Tracy Agro
Hollywood Hills High Class Of 1984
Elaine McNamara
February 23, 2013
Mike, Condolences on your great loss. She was surely a mentor to many, the love of your life and a loving mother, aunt, friend. She will be missed. Your chorus students and colleagues are thinking of you with warm thoughts.
February 13, 2013
Dear Gwen,
I was truly blessed to have you as a teacher, a devoted mentor, and a friend over the last 22 years. You took me under your wing as a 10th grader in Honors English at Hollywood Hills High School back in 1991 and you encouraged me to excel in all of my academic pursuits, especially in my writing and literature studies. I was blessed to have you mentor me throughout the college application process and my years at Cornell. I know it was because of your tutelage that I graduated Summa Cum Laude in English literature. I was delighted when you paid me a surprise visit in Ithaca on my graduation day in 1998-- that was the best surprise ever!!! You read Corinthians so eloquently at my wedding to James in 2004. If I ever met an angel, you were it. Your light will shine on in me and in all of those many people whose lives you have touched. This is not goodbye, it is just until I see you again, in Heaven, because I know that is where you are, looking down on us all. Love always,
Monica (Rivas) Varnado
Hollywood Hills High School c/o 1994
Janet Boger
January 29, 2013
Gwen, you were truly an inspiration and it was my honor to have you as a teacher and mentor. You provided me with a lot of help and encouragement when I needed it most. You, I am sure, have left a great legacy as your students and friends benefited by having the pleasure of knowing you.
Laura Rice Robinson
January 29, 2013
God bless you, Gwen. You have touched the lives of many. I will always remember you as the beautiful spirit that I first met at Elon. I hope your loved ones will find comfort.
January 29, 2013
May the God of all comfort grant your family peace at this time. (1 Cor. 1:3,4)
January 29, 2013
Dear Gwen was our next door neighbour when we arrived in Charlottesville,Va from the UK in 1973. Since then we have met many times, both in the US and in the UK. We have always loved and admired Gwen for her tremendous enthusiasm for life and for her great fortitude during the last few years. What an inspiration in how to live a life! We shall miss her greatly, but will never forget her.
Robert and Ursula. Bristol UK
Sherry Gonzalez
January 29, 2013
Mike, sorry for your loss. R I P Gwen you will be greatly missed. Hope we see you soon Mike. Love you.
Rosie
January 29, 2013
Mike, I am so sorry to hear about Gwen. She was such a lovely person, even though we did not have the pleasure of seeing her as often as we would have liked. My prayers are with you & the family. Love you.
Joyce Ferguson
January 29, 2013
Mrs. DeShong was a wonderful person and an excellent teacher. She was an icon and a role model for the Hollywood Hills High School Staff and family.
Joyce C. Ferguson
January 29, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and their wonderful family...I and my classmates had the pleasure and honor of being Gwen's first students at Hollywood Hills High in 1966. It was her 1st year teaching-she was fresh out of college. She and her husband Mike touched so many countless lives throughout their great careers. She was such a beautiful soul. We had many conversations by phone these last 2 years and I will always cherish them. One of my classmates said that heaven has to make room for another Angel and she was that and so much more....RIP dear heart-I look forward to the day we see one another once again....
Chuck Garbett
Tim Ravenna
January 28, 2013
So sorry to hear this... RIP and it was a blessing to know her! She was a bright light and inspired many!
BARBARA STEPHENS
January 28, 2013
GWEN WAS A DEAR WIFE, GRANDMOTHER, MOTHER, TEACHER, FRIEND AND MY BUDDY WHOM I WILL GREATLY MISS. SHE WAS A TRUE LADY WHO WAS ADMIRED AND LOVED BY SO MANY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO MIKE AND HER FAMILY. THE WORLD WAS RICHER BECAUSE GWEN WAS A PART OF IT. GWEN BLESSED MY LIFE, AS I KNOW THAT SHE BLESSED THE LIVES OF SO MANY OTHERS. I WILL MISS THIS LADY GREATLY.
Donna Mentrasti
January 28, 2013
My deepest condolences, Mike (Mr. Deshong )...I will forever remember and cherish the memories and impact Gwen (Miss Hancock) had on my young life. She was as beautiful inside as she was out. Her legacy as an inspirational teacher will live on through many. She touched a lot of lives, she certainly did mine. God bless and bring you peace in the memories you had with this amazing woman.
January 28, 2013
GWEN WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND, MOTHER,GRANDMOTHER, WIFE, TEACHER AND BUDDY. I LOVED GWEN AND FELT IT AN HONOR TO KNOW HER FOR SO MANY YEARS AS A TEACHING COMPANION. GWEN EXEMPLIFIED COURAGE IN HER FIGHT WITH CANCER. SHE WAS TRULY A WONDERFUL WOMAN WHO WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. THE WORLD WAS FAR BETTER BECAUSE GWEN DESHONG WAS A PART OF IT. I AM TRULY BLESSED BECAUSE GWEN WAS MY DEAR FRIEND. BARBARA STEPHENS
Lee Whittemore
January 28, 2013
I did not know Gwendolyn but I knew her husband, Mike, well. We shared a common interest and I learned much from him. My sincere condolances to Mike, family and all those who loved his wife. My heart is now a little heavier for not having the opportunity to meet Gwendolyn. God Blees her Soul.....Lee
January 28, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you Mike and your family. Please know I too have lost a friend that I will miss. Love Hannah
January 28, 2013
Mrs. DeShong taught me the value of being a life long learner outside the classroom. That gift has sustained me well beyond my limited time with her as her pupil in 9th grade English. She was a faithful mentor and friend who expressed genuine interest and concern for my welfare. What a wonderful lady. Michael Morris MD
Larry Mandel
January 28, 2013
Dear Mike and family,
My prayers are with you all at this sad time.Im grateful to have gotten to see her again at the reunion.Another angel is looking down on us.
January 28, 2013
Rest in peace Mrs DeShong. Prayers for your family. You will be very missed. You were a great teacher.
Donna Elmini-Jacobs
January 28, 2013
The best creative writing teacher ever @ HHH! Gwen always had kind, compassionate words for me; always gave me encouragement and the courage to pursue my dreams. She touched my life. My heart aches with the loss of such a great lady. Peace and comfort to Michael and her entire family.
January 28, 2013
Mr. Deshong your chorus student in photo Kathy Bain,David Nuby, Karen Drayton. Kenneth Hannah, Ricardo Newman, and English teache Ms. GussieClark with all our love may she rest n peace...
Barbara Poe
January 28, 2013
Gwen I shall miss you so much. I shall miss the wonderful trips and joyous laughter that we shared. The world seems a little darker without you in it.
Marda Wood
January 28, 2013
I enjoyed meeting and working with Gwen in the Ness Program mentoring new teachers...a dedicated teacher...always a smile. Condolences to her family.
Steve & Kathy Hartsock
January 28, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to Mike & family in the loss of our dear Aunt Gwen. We will miss her greatly. We truly enjoyed our many trips with her to Colorado and to have her come see us in Wisconsin as well as her hospitality to us on our visits to Florida. She was a wonderful woman and fought hard. We know she is at peace now and sharing some stories with Carole, Grandma, & Grandpa. God Bless!
Jim and Lori Hundley
January 28, 2013
Gwen was a very good friend and collegue of ours at Hollywood Hills High School.
She was always a lady, and she was an
inspiration to her students.
Your students from class of 1975 HHH n Gussie Clark english teacher fm.HHH..God Bless
Karen Drayton
January 28, 2013
Mrs Gwen Hancock was my 9th grade english teacher at HHH. What a wonderful and sweet lady she was. And her husband Mr. Deshong was my chorus teacher to him i send my deepest sympathy love Karen Drayton class of 1975. We were with Mr. Tom Balick n Ms. Clark last night.....you have our deepest sympathy god bless you and your family.
Vanessa Gilyard, HHH c/o 1987
January 28, 2013
I am going to miss Mrs. D so much and I regret that I never had her as a teacher. The last time I saw her was at the reunion for people who were in the HHH choir she and Mr. D looked great!!! One of my memories is when she, Mrs. Mermelstein and Ms. Jobbins suggested that I be a cheerleader; they thought that I was a nice girl and that I would be perfect for it. Her struggle is over and she is at rest now. Blessed Be!!
Phyllis Friedman
January 28, 2013
Gwen - You were always my inspiration and strength I only hope u have finally found peace. I will miss you my friend
sherry
January 28, 2013
i'm sure Gwen's soul is at peace. She was an inspiration and a gentle person to be admired and missed.
Helen McCotter
January 28, 2013
In college, Gwen was a cheerleader, sorority sister, and a beautiful girl, inside and out. I'm sure she will be missed by all of her friends. Helen
Mike and Gwen's wedding
January 27, 2013
Gwen was a fabulous teacher and I was so glad to know her also as a friend. She is one of the reasons I became a teacher. My love and prayers are with Mr. D and the family.
Jon and Linda Wilson
January 27, 2013
Jon and I r so sad about losing our dear friend Gwen!! She was the best English teacher. She was a true Spartan! Love to u Mike! Jon and Linda Wilson
January 27, 2013
This is for the most incredible woman our breast cancer support group member, Gwen, we love you...rest in peace our dear friend....Barbara and Brenda
Rivka Feldman
January 27, 2013
Gwen, may you rest in peace. You were an axample for bravery to your friends in the Breast Cancer Support group. I will miss you.
Mary Ellen Kessler
January 27, 2013
Gwen was a dear lovely person who inspired all those around her. My prayers are with Mike and her family. Gwen is at peace and watching over us until we all can join her again.
Linda Grubb
January 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you Mike and the family. Gwen was a wonderful person and teacher. May she rest in peace.
January 26, 2013
our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.My sister linda Moore and my mom Quinn Moore were sadden when we heard of Mrs.D passing I have fond memory of her chaperoning our chorus trips.I know she is in a better place. May God bless you and your family at this difficult time.Cindy Moore Burgess
Barbara Williams-Efre
January 26, 2013
Rest peacefully, our dear lady Gwen. You will be greatly missed in this world and greatly appreciated in heaven. We will always love you...
Kelby Oakley
January 26, 2013
I will miss you greatly. I know your having the best boiled peanuts now...eat some for me aunt Gwen. Love You Always!
Jeanann (Krawczonek) Hand
January 26, 2013
Mrs. DeShong was a wonderful person and a fantastic teacher. Love and prayers to her family.
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