Gwendolyn Lu Pitney

Gwendolyn Lu Pitney age 93, passed away Friday, January 31, 2025. Gwendolyn was born August 26, 1931. She was the second child born to Lewis and Ethel Berg in Farnum, Nebraska. She attended elementary school in Brady, Nebraska and graduated from High School in Stapleton, Nebraska.

It was in Stapleton that she met her future husband, Kenneth Pitney. Kenneth worked for the Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. Each advancement in his career meant a move for them. As a result, they lived in several different cities—Lincoln, Nebraska, North Platte, Nebraska, Burwell, Nebraska, Durango, Colorado, Laurel, Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, Denver, Colorado, and Bonita, California. During these times, Gwendoly worked as a waitress, telephone operator, secretary to Logan County Treasurer and County Extension Agent, secretary for Burwell Veterinary, retail sales and painting teacher. She was a leader of 4-H clubs and also participated in the Make It Yourself with Wool contest, winning the adult division several times.

Her favorite things were dancing and painting. She and Ken were often seen dancing at Elks, in many venues in San Diego and on many cruises. The two loved dancing and were often known on cruises as “the dancers.” They were an outgoing couple and always made new friends wherever they went.

Art was a passion beginning in grade school. She sketched and worked with pastels, then acrylic paint and watercolor. Oil was her favorite medium. She continued to paint and was active in the International Society of Decorative Painters. She was a leader and newsletter editor in the Denver Society and more recently in two Groups of the San Diego Society. She taught painting, classes teaching everything from sweatshirt painting, whimsical items to more realistic tole painting. Ken and friends decided to enter some of her work when she was out of town. She returned home to discover that she had earned Best of Show—this happened twice. She earned more awards including several Best of Show. Her artwork has been featured several times in the Decorative Painter (the official publication of the International Society of Decorative Painters). She created original designs and made packets with the business name of Penny Angel Designs. Her original Christmas tree ornaments were hung on the trees in the White House and Blair House and are now in the Smithsonian. Her ornaments have also graced the Denver Art Museum, Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, PA and the California State Capitol. The San Diego Union Tribune featured one of her pieces that is now in a museum of painters. She has earned the title of TDA—Teacher of Decorative Painting.

She was preceded in death by her father Lewis Berb, her mother Ethel Berg Eddingfield, her sister Bette Conroy and her husband of over 60 years, Kenneth Pitney. Gwendolyn is survived by her daughter Penny Ann Cline, son-in-law Gary Cline, Grandson Jeremy Cline, granddaughter-in-law Babette, and two great grandchildren, Chloe and Seth Cline.