Gwyn Hill Westerfeld

WESTERFELD, Mrs. Gwyn Hill, age 90, of Midlothian, died peacefully of lung complications with the support and comfort of her family by her side. Born in Denver, Colorado, Gwyn had an adventurous life, moving more than 33 times while with her parents and more than five times with her husband and family.

She was a graduate of Kansas City, Missouri's Paseo High School where she was active in an a cappella choir, literature society, service club, and student government. She completed her Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising at Colorado Women's College. She worked in department stores, corporate reservations for Eastern Airlines, and later as a realtor.

She married George Charles Westerfeld, and as a loving wife and mother she gave their four children a joyful childhood full of music, playfulness, humor, encouragement, history, sewing, the beauty of the outdoors and faith as a foundation. She worked to strengthen her family and each community in which she resided. Gwyn led religious education programs, Vacation Bible Schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, garden clubs and neighborhood associations. She volunteered as a docent in an art museum, in election sites, on the cancer unit in a hospital, in public schools, and as a member of church women's circles. She made casseroles and quilts for the homeless and sewed quilts for pediatric patients. She also served as the secretary and archivist for Brandermill Woods Women's Club.

She was a talented soprano, who performed as a soloist and in church choirs wherever she lived. Gwyn had many other creative talents including interior decorating, needlepoint, quilting, clothing design and construction. She loved classical music and all of the fine and performing arts. As an avid reader she enjoyed history, historical fiction, poetry, and political biographies. She lived her whole life with a joyful spirit and a giving heart. The greatest gifts she gave to family were her abiding optimism, loving encouragement, wisdom and tender care.

Having moved so often during her lifetime, Gwyn knew the challenges of being new in a community. When she moved to Brandermill Woods twenty years ago, she made it a point to meet and welcome new residents. She participated in many groups and activities, built cherished friendships and was a frequent hostess of great celebrations for friends and family. Her family would like to thank the staff of Brandermill Woods for the wonderful community they have fostered, and her caregivers who enabled her to live independently in her home through her 90th year.

Some of her most surprising experiences included a three-week family tent camping trip in New England and Canada; leading her Girl Scout troop on spelunking and rappelling expeditions in West Virginia; a dirigible flight in Texas; and a tethered hot air balloon flight at Brandermill Woods in her eighth decade.

Mrs. Westerfeld is survived by her two daughters, Carol Wayne and her husband, Douglas Wayne, M.D., of Midlothian, Virginia and Karen Hunt and her husband, David Hunt of Arlington, Virginia; four grandchildren, Desarae Wayne, Ronnie Wayne, Alan Wayne, and his wife, Sarah Wayne, and Emily Hunt; and five great-grandchildren, Blaise Wayne, Claire Wayne, Dylan Tyler, Emmaline Wayne, and Reid Wayne. She was dearly loved and is greatly missed.

Mrs. Westerfeld was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, George Charles Westerfeld; and her two sons, David Herrin Westerfeld, Paul Mason Westerfeld; and her parents, Herrin David Hill and Lillis Mason Hill.

A private memorial service was held with the Reverend Dr. Jim C. Dunkin, Senior Pastor, Brandermill Church, officiating. A private interment will be held at the Columbarium at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Memorial gifts may be made to Brandermill Woods Resident Employee Appreciation Fund (memo Employee Scholarship); Brandermill Church; or Richmond Symphony Orchestra.