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Gwen Reeder is the most artistic, loving individual her family has ever known. As the youngest sister of three, a devoted wife and boy mom, and a teacher, she is always there for everyone, and her creative insights take center stage more times than not.
According to her family members, none of this is a surprise either. Forty years ago, Gwen entered the world and made her presence felt right from the start.
“From the day Gwen was born on Father’s Day, June 16th, 1985, Gwen has been a special and beautiful blessing to us,” her father Rick said. “She has always been tender-hearted and loving. She has grown into a wonderful young woman. Her family means everything to her. She and her two sisters are the best daughters any parents could ask for.”
“My first-ever memory at 4 years old was being told she had been born, info delivered to me by my Aunt Andy who was babysitting me and our other sister while our mom was in the hospital having Gwen. I don’t remember much other than the feeling of excitement at having another playmate,” Gwen’s sister Tiffany added.
From day one, her family loved her. Growing up as the youngest in a family of five, Gwen had four people looking out for her, but that does not mean her impact has not been endless. As much as she learned from her family over the years, her family learned a lot more from her.
Whether it was her father learning patience, control and organization; her husband learning patience, strength and compassion; or her sisters learning the true meaning of protection, there have been no shortage of teachable moments with Gwen.
“Gwen is very artsy and crafty, and she takes pride in decorating her home,” her mother Kay said. “I learned a lot from her the day we went shopping. She had agreed to help us decorate and furnish our living room. That day Gwen shared some decorating tips, and in a few hours we were done. She turned a chore into a fun and learning experience.”
“Her artistic ability and creativity are incredible, as well as her ability to make anything beautiful,” Tiffany added.
Gwen is great at putting her art major to good use, as she is always creating something. Whether she is doing an interior design project or creating another wonderful piece of art, it’s clear her skills are unmatched.
She has even passed these skills off to her sons – one of whom is a filmmaker and video artist – and she has just done a great overall job of raising those two kids.
“Gwen takes her role of motherhood very seriously,” her mother Kay said. “I’ve observed traits in her two sons, Evan and Noah—their kindness towards others and their unselfish behavior are a result of watching their mom model these traits.”
Gwen has made countless sacrifices for her boys, from showing up to every event to supporting them in every activity. Whether they need help on a project or homework, or just general life advice, she is there for them. They can always count on Gwen, and they both speak very highly of her too.
“’Good’ is an understatement. I don’t think there is an adjective strong enough to describe the type of mother she is,” Gwen’s husband John said. “Evan and Noah would agree, she is the absolute glue that binds this family together—a combination of grace, strength, work ethic, and organizational skills to the likes of which no one has ever seen. It is truly remarkable what she does on a daily basis. She is mesmerizing when it comes to being a mother.”
Not everyone is born to be a parent, but being a mom is certainly one of Gwen’s great life callings. She has been her sons’ biggest rock and confidante throughout the years, and she is finding a way to navigate through as they will both be teenagers at the same time before she realizes it.
Of course, she is a phenomenal wife too. Gwen is the yin to John’s yang, and she is his biggest sense of encouragement throughout every day. She helps him navigate through parenthood, and she is what you would call his better half.
She has a great overall personality that is loved by so many people too. There are many things that gravitate others toward this woman, and that is because she is a woman with the character of a saint.
“When I think of how she has grown as a person from early adulthood until now, I am immensely proud of her,” her sister Kim said. “She has been consistent and hardworking, dedicating much of her time to educating the younger generations through substitute teaching, and earning much respect from her community, friends and family.”
There are truly not many people who have anything negative to say about Gwen, and rightfully so. Her outlook on life is positive, she treats everyone right, and she fosters all generations to live their best lives.
“She has always had the best sense of humor,” Tiffany said. “I personally believe I had the best childhood and part of that is because of her. We were always the best of friends, along with our other sister Kim and best friend Emilie. Growing up the four of us were inseparable.”
Gwen has this glue-like personality and she is very much appreciated. She has a knack for making memories while always making people happy and putting a smile on their face. She wears her heart on her sleeve and treats everyone with respect and love.
“Gwen is the kindest, gentlest, most giving person I have ever known,” John said. “She has a tenderness that is unmatched—this has molded her into a passionate educator, and I am most proud of how she fiercely nurtures the young people of our community, and the woman she has grown to become through that.”
John fell in love with Gwen for countless reasons and it is hard to pinpoint one overlying reason as to why he chose her. The reality is she is just truly amazing and anyone would be lucky just to know her.
Of course, Gwen was born into her family, but her parents and sisters (and Emilie) would choose her 10 times out of 10. That is how much they love and appreciate her, and how irreplaceable she is. And her sons would pick her every time too.
“I admire Gwen’s strong faith and her quiet strength,” Rick said. “She is a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister. She is always supportive of her family. She is an involved parent and she is always there to help and cheer on her sons. She is also a loyal friend.”
Gwen sticks by the people she loves, and they cannot say enough wonderful things about her. They just know they could not do it without her, and she is truly the family they would choose if they got the chance. She is also a God-fearing woman above all else, and she lives out her faith each and every day.
“We want her to know how loved and cherished she is as she enters this new decade of her life. Also, how old her turning 40 makes the rest of us feel.” – Tiffany
