Gwendoline Campbell Allen

Gwendoline Campbell-Allen also known as Miss Cherry born in Glenngoff, St Catherine, Jamaica on October 10th, 1936 to Venetia (StaVinnie) Campbell and Alpheus Adolphus Campbell both of blessed memory.

She was the last of 6 children.

Gwendoline attended early education and a small church in Jamaica at Lucky Hill, St. Catherine.

After her parents moved to Kingston, Jamaica she attended: Whitfield All Age School where she graduated at age 15. She attended a private school for Dress Making and graduated as a professional dressmaker. She could sew very well; and was very proud of her workmanship. She made clothings for her children, friends, and acquaintances to help them out.

She was a member of The Jamaica Girls Guide Association and participated in many singing events which she loved, and enjoyed very much. She was also a beauty pageant participant in the Miss Jamaica beauty pageant in 1959 as Miss Ebony Jamaica. Although she didn’t win, she was admired for her beauty and curvaceous figure.

She worked at Maxfield Park Children’s Home as a caregiver for orphans.

In 1966 she left Jamaica for the United States of America where she was sponsored by Mrs. Young of Young’s Meat market, where she worked for about 5 years. Mrs. Young then introduced her to the Spivak Family. She primarily worked for The Spivak’s Family where she spent approximately 17 years caring for their 3 children Adam, Allison, and Julie Spivak.

In 1985, she married George Allen, a union that would later end in divorce. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 1992, where she found her calling as a compassionate caregiver for infants at Joy School. There, she developed a cherished friendship with the school's owner, Joy, a bond that endured throughout the years, strengthening their connection right up until 2023.

Gwendoline returned to Philadelphia in 1999, worked as a caregiver to Allison, and Julie’s Spivak’s children until she retired in 2001.

She was baptized @ Zion House of Prayer - June of 2002 in Houston, TX.

She was a member and fellowship at Overbrook Assembly of God Church. Immediately after joining the church she became a volunteer in the Children's Ministry. She helped with Vacation Bible School (VBS), Youth Convention, Hallelujah Parties, and any events held for the children. She enjoyed making flowers for the Women's Ministry Mother's Day program. She enjoyed any opportunity to fellowship with her family and friends. As a senior member of the church, attending church was the center of her joy and listening to her pastor preach.

Affectionately known as Miss Cherry, she loved sitting on her porch, greeting passing neighbors, and sharing treats with the neighborhood children. In her free time, she derived immense joy from reading novels, with a particular fondness for westerns and classic films like Texas Ranger and soap operas she was an avid supporter of Jim Gardner channel 6 action news. She also loved going for car rides, especially to Dunkin' Donuts, where she could indulge in her favorite coffee and treats. She relished the challenge of word puzzles, crosswords, dominoes and enjoyed listening to family radio, soul, gospel, and reggae music. Traveling to various destinations on cruises, bus trips with friends, and family brought her great happiness. In her later years, she frequented the YMCA senior center, where she engaged in knitting, arts and crafts, exercising, and community fellowship. A strong advocate for civic participation, she encouraged everyone to exercise their right to vote and emphasized the importance of family unity. She love kids and would give them candy. Her culinary talents shone through in her delicious Jamaican dishes, and her children and grandchildren especially adored her scrambled eggs. She cherished the company of her children’s friends often playfully reminding them as night fell, “Your mother must be worried about you; I think it’s time for you to go home.”

She will be missed for her kisses, hugs, jokes, laughter, and the way she would light up to sing and dance at the drop of any reggae song.

Sorrowfully The Family:

Gwendoline leaves behind six (6) beautiful children and their spouses four sons and two daughters: Robert (Len/Bobby) spouse Olinia, Claudette (Jean), Yvonne (Cecie), Kenneth(Ken/Starky) spouse Angela, Owen (Steve) his spouse Dr. Catherine, and Michael (Eddie).

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings and granddaughter. She leaves behind 6 children, 26 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, close friends, as well as her cherished neighbors from Fairmount Ave. and her church family from Overbrook Assembly of God Church.

With Gratitude from the family of Gwendoline Campbell Allen

A visitation for Gwendoline will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Overbrook Assembly of God Church, 6651 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19151. A funeral service will begin at 9:00 AM. An interment will follow at Westminster Cemetery, 701 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.