Gwenda Lynne Gatewood Purdy, 77, of Estes Park, Colorado, went to be with the Lord on July 10, 2023. Gwenda was born on August 6, 1945, to Thomas Bartlett Gatewood and Gwen Dell Wright Gatewood at Station Hospital Midland Army Airfield in Midland, Texas. After Gwenda graduated from Hobbs High School, where she attended kindergarten to 12th grade, she earned a degree in accounting from Eastern New Mexico University.
On July 31, 1998, she married her husband, Larry Purdy, while they were both working at the Garland Police Department in Garland, Texas. They lived in Rowlett, Texas, until they moved to Estes Park, Colorado, to retire together. In Estes Park, Gwenda was very active in the community. She was on the Board of the Estes Park Library and an Officer for the Estes Park Newcomers Club. Gwenda loved attending outdoor concerts and seasonal community events and played in two Bridge Clubs in Estes Park. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed doing yard work and listening to audiobooks as a hobby.
Gwenda was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Thomas Bartlett Gatewood, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Larry Purdy; son, Shad Grubbs (Donna Grubbs) of Commerce City, Colorado; daughter, Cari Barca (Dave Barca) of Oceanside, California; and her precious grandchildren, Mikayla Grubbs Cardie (Conrad Cardie), Gatlin Grubbs, Hannah Barca, and Conan Barca who called her, “Gussie,” an endearment Gwenda's father gave her as a child.
Services will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park on August 5, 2023, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Estes Valley Land Trust, an organization Gwenda felt very strongly about.
A celebration of life for Gwenda "Gussie" Purdy for Gussie will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:00 AM at YMCA of the Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Rd., Estes Park, Colorado 80511, followed by a reception to follow at 12:00 PM.
Contributions in Gussie's memory may be made to Estes Valley Land Trust, 1191 Woodstock Dr., Estes Park, Colorado 80517 US, https://evlandtrust.org/donate/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttestespark.com for the Purdy family.
DONATIONS
Estes Valley Land Trust1191 Woodstock Dr., Estes Park, Colorado 80517
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