Gailyn Ames Gwin

1939 - 2023

Gwin

Gailyn Ames Gwin

Gailyn Ames Gwin, 84, of Seabrook, Maryland, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who conducted and sang choral music in the Washington, DC, area for more than 50 years and was active in the broader performing arts both personally and professionally, died on October 26, 2023, in Searcy, Arkansas, while traveling and visiting family.



A musical memorial celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center on the campus of the University of Maryland, 7801 Alumni Drive, College Park, Maryland, 20742.



Gailyn was born on April 17, 1939, in Washington, DC, the first child of James Martin Gwin and Helen Woodworth Gwin, who preceded her in death. She was raised in University Park, Maryland, and attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, proudly serving as head majorette and beginning friendships she would maintain her entire life, before graduating from the University of Maryland at College Park with a degree in communications. While in college, she sang in the university's choir.



After working as a flight attendant for United Airlines, she worked in the newsroom at CBS News in Washington. In 1966, she helped to found Oaklands United Presbyterian Church (now Oaklands Presbyterian Church U.S.A.). She served as Oaklands' choir director for more than 50 years, and also directed a children's choir (Joyful Noise) at the church. She was also active in area choral associations and participated in various choral concerts and events.



Gailyn sang in the Oratorio Society of Washington (now The Washington Chorus) for many years, performing at the Kennedy Center and other venues. In addition to many performances in Europe, she participated in the group's Grammy Award-winning performance of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem," conducted by Robert Shafer, in 2000. At the time of her death, she was singing with the Chesapeake Chorale.



Gailyn worked as a talent agent for classical artists, and also ran Prince George's County's Film Office for many years. She also worked for the National Symphony Orchestra, the Prince George's Philharmonic Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra League (now the League of American Orchestras).



Gailyn also covered the arts for Prince George's Community Television with reports during its nightly newscast and her interview show "Arts About The County." She filmed an episode in the last month of her life.



Her marriages to John Theis Jr. and Donald E. Bowers ended in divorce.



Gailyn is survived by her husband, Joseph R. Irwin; her sons Brendon (Stephanie) and Brooks (Johanna) Bowers; her stepson Kristof (Diane) Irwin; her grandchildren Cecilia, Brady and Kieran Bowers, and Ming Irwin; her sister Geniel (Marcus) Strock; her brother Graydon (Terrie) Gwin; her sisters-in-law Sarah (Darry) Lofgren, Sue Gillett and Rhonda Irwin, and a large extended family.



She leaves a legacy of classical music, which she loved to perform (with her voice and her baton), share with others and enjoy.