Gwendolyn Nash

Gwendolyn Elbo Nash passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2025.

Born in 1936, she was the daughter of Ruth Royer and Candido Elbo. Gwen came from a large family with 13 aunts and uncles and 48 cousins, spread throughout the United States. She maintained relationships with family members throughout her life.
Gwen was a native D.C. resident and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. Early in her adult life, she joined St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in N.W. and became the parish administrator for the Rector, the Rev. Tom Bowers. She remained active at St. Patrick's for several decades.

Gwen was one of the early paralegals in the Trusts and Estates practice at Shea and Gardner. She was particularly appreciated for her guidance and care of the firm's elderly clients. She remained at Shea and Gardner through the mid-1980s.

Immediately after Gwen married Ralph Clarke Nash Jr. in 1983, they embarked on the building of their second home in Swan Point, Maryland. Gwen supported the workforce (i.e. Clarke and his two sons and various volunteer law students) by providing hearty meals at the end of each work day. She learned how to lay bricks, finish electrical work, and do carpentry. The result was their beautiful creek front home, which was enjoyed for many years by family and friends.

In their retirement, Gwen and Clarke enjoyed three driving trips across the United States, the rules of which were 1) no interstates, 2) no big cities, 3) no fast food restaurants and 4) no itineraries. They also took trips to Europe, including three opera trips. Their favorite annual spot was New Orleans and they were often joined by friends to attend the French Quarter Festival in early April.

In 2002, Gwen and Clarke moved to the Watergate to be close to their favorite venue, the Kennedy Center, for opera and symphony. Gwen was also a strong supporter of The Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Despite stating that she did not "do sand," a favorite week for Gwen was the annual trip to Bethany Beach or Rehoboth, where her family gathered with children and grandchildren. Gwen organized the meal planning, with each member having dinner duty, and the group birthday party celebrating everyone's birthday.

In addition to her other accomplishments, Gwen was an excellent cook. She greatly appreciated the annual holiday trip to the Inn at Little Washington with Jane and David Dixon and Jim and Winnie Anderson.

Gwen is survived by her husband, Ralph Clarke Nash Jr., her brother Ricardo Elbo, two nephews, Geoffrey Elbo (Susan) and Paul Elbo, five step-children: Martha Nash Seidler (Andy), Linda Nash Engleby (Matt), Stuart Clarke Nash (Caroline), David Newing Nash and Susan Greenspoon, and ten step-grandchildren: Patrick McGuire (Danielle), Shannon Suggett (Patrick), Rhiannon Meyers, James Meyers (Jessica), Cotton Engleby (Emma), Sophie Nash (Jamie), Sybil Engleby (Jake), Katherine Nash (Jack), Maitlyn Engleby, and Polly Nash (James).

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Pkwy., Washington, DC. 20007. Contributions in Gwen's memory may be made to St Patrick's Episcopal Church.