Gwendolyn Smith Stone

She was the much loved first daughter to Herman L.G. and Genevieve Smith.  Her father pastored Nazarene Churches in Washington, Oregon, California and Canada.  Gwen was a bright baby who handled conversations before she could walk.  She continued her love of language and was an avid reader her entire life.  She, and  her sisters, sang three part harmony from the time the youngest was three years old,  frequently singing for Youth For Christ services at the Portland Auditorium during the 40's.  She attended Washington High School Portland, and Pasadena College in California. One of her proudest achievements was becoming a mother to Rob Lockner and LeAnn Edwards Spreeman in 1954 and 1955 in Denver, Colorado.  She moved her family back to California in 1965 and began a career with TransAmerica Title Insurance working in the Bay Area and Seattle for 10 years.  She transferred  her skills to a medical practice, efficiently organizing an office for a surgeon in private practice and soon was answering questions from office managers in the surrounding complex.

While working for Salishan Lodge in Lincoln City, she met Peter G. Stone, Professor of Art at Western Oregon State College, when he was displaying his creative art for a pottery show.  They married December 1978 and she became a loving mother to his six children.  Lincoln City was home for Gwen and Peter for nearly 25 years.  During that time they traveled extensively.  She had a keen knowledge of history and the world around her and sent fascinating travelogues of places and experiences on their many trips.  She was an accomplished cook and enjoyed hosting family and friends.  Gwen always kept busy and knitted hats and scarves for every baby in her extended family.  Overall, she never tired of her love of books; she wanted to hold "real" books not electronic ones! 

Gwen will be deeply and dearly missed by her family.  She leaves her husband, Peter Stone, her children Rob (Carol) Lockner, LeAnn Edwards (Allan) Spreeman; grandchildren Jason (Lauren) Spreeman, Jesse (Stephany Cutler-Robbins) Spreeman,  Luke Spreeman and one great-grandchild, Tor Spreeman. Her Stone children Delight Stone (Clifford Curry), Michael (Leslie), Gordon (Gretchen),  Beth Stone (Michael Pepper),  Larry (Linda) and Eric Stone. Stone Grandchildren are Felipe and Antonia Curry, Elliot, Emily, Lindsey and Lucas Stone, Maddie and Paige Stone, Trevor, Alyssa, Leah Pepper, Nick, Grant and Sam Stone. Stone great-grandchildren are Rhone Wilkins and Mason and Anson Rydbom.

Her sisters, Virginia (Joe) George, Esther (Scott) Holmes and Garnette (Stewart) Gilgore will feel the void all their lives.    She leaves numerous nieces, nephews,  cousins and grand nieces and nephews. 

Loved by all – Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Nurse, Deacon, Hospitality Genius, Knitter, Writer – She cared for all, sharing her endless talents and genuine love and enthusiasm for life.

Peter and Gwen have lived the past ten years at Capital Manor in Salem and a memorial service there will be held on June 25, 2016 at 2:00pm.

Gwen was a devout Christian and we rejoice in the knowledge she is enjoying eternal and triumphant life with our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.