Gwendolyn York

Gwendolyn Kaye York, 62 of Fayetteville, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021.

Gwen was born Kathleen Mary McCarthy on May 10, 1959 and was the fourth of six kids, consisting of two boys and four girls.

She attended eight different schools before graduating from John Jay High School as a proud Mustang.  Her main interests in school were drama, health occupations and home economics.

Gwendolyn accepted Christ on June 7, 1973, at the San Antonio Bible Center under the direction of Rev. Richard Hayne and was followed up by Debbie Middleton. She became involved with the youth church and Community Outreach Youth Hub under the direction of Lee Patton.

Thoroughly loving to travel, Gwen has lived in 7 different states and 3 different countries, and has visited a lot more.

She was a military dependent of 37 years and an employee of various jobs including waitressing, shoe sales, day care, nurses aid, bus driving, market research, and working in mental health.  Gwendolyn also faithfully volunteered throughout her life including 6 years with the Red Cross, several church nurseries, college and career classes, church and GI ministries, room mother in her kids’ classes in school, and mentor in numerous support groups. She participated in the Pro-Live Movement, Blended Family Rights, and lobbied before the Fayetteville City Council for a Special Victim’s Unit.  Her ultimate calling was to be a wife and mother.

Gwendolyn is survived by her mother, Ethel Lois Bikker McCarthy; siblings, John McCarthy and spouse, Valerie Douthit and spouse, Linda Durham and spouse, and Mary Torres and spouse.

She also leaves behind her three children, Jenny Elmore and spouse Joshua, Olivia Kennedy and spouse Ryan, and Travis Ryan and spouse Anne. Between her three children, Gwendolyn was blessed with six grandchildren.

Through her life, she came to many others like family. She became like a second mom to Laura Boetcher and even a foster mom to Brittany Bunnel. Gwendolyn was loved like a second mom to many other teenage girls as well.

Gwen also loved to help many women through her years of being in recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous. At the time of her passing, she had been sober for the past 27 years which she accomplished by working her steps and learning to have a true intimate relationship with God.

More and more through her years she became absolutely one of the most loving, caring, and thoughtful people that we all could only aspire to be. In her life she may not have had a lot to give, but she still gave in any way she could, like putting money in Bibles at church. It may not have been much money, but it was enough to make someone wonder. Her heart was genuine and true in everything she did and this world is definitely not going to be the same without her.

It will forever leave a void, but God can fill it and she would tell you that. So when you are wanting to talk to her, call out to God and share with him so she knows what your heart feels. Gwen may not physically be here, but she is so much nearer than you think…