Gwendolyn B. Dwyer

On March 16, 2019, our mother, Gwendolyn Marie Betpouey Dwyer passed from this world in the presence of her loved ones. Born in Lutcher, Louisiana, in 1931, Mom lived her life as a generous, loving, and beloved mother of nine children. Married to Ralph Daniel Dwyer, Jr., for forty-four years, Gwen was affectionately known as “Saint Gwendolyn” and “the little friend of all the world” by those who knew and loved her. Mom referred to herself as a “domestic engineer” and a “jack-of-all trades,” and she was!

In her early years, Gwen attended Saint Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi, graduated cum laude from Loyola University, New Orleans, and earned an M.A., in Education from Catholic University, Washington, D.C., at a time when few women achieved such an accomplishment.

Together, she and Ralph raised nine children, traveled the world on numerous adventures, visiting Japan many times as well as Latin America and Europe. She took her first rafting trip down the Grand Canyon at age 64, camping under the stars for time first time in her life. She enjoyed it so much, that the next year she and Ralph rafted the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Gwen loved the outdoors. For years she and Ralph spent summers in Breckinridge, Colorado before settling on Blowing Rock, North Carolina for their summer get-away. In North Carolina, Gwen enjoyed yoga, walks around the lake, bird watching and, perhaps most of all, the friends she made there. As she grew older and traveled less, Gwen spent more and more of her hours enjoying the outdoors from her garden bench and porch swing at home in New Orleans, where she talked with her neighbors, her children, her grandchildren and friends.

Gwen lived her life as an example of Christ, teaching and modeling patience, kindness, humility, and love of all. She was never heard to utter a harsh or unkind word against anyone (except the Sewage and Water Board). Through all of her years, Gwen maintained a marvelous sense of humor, always enjoying a good chuckle and special times with each of us.

Gwen was pre-deceased by her husband in 1999, her mother, Inez Duhe Betpouey, her sister Suzanne Betpouey Bike, and her father, Clement Betpouey, Jr,.

She is survived by her nine children: Ralph Dwyer, III (Linda), Bridget Dwyer Ramsey (William), Frederick Dwyer (Susanne), Patrick Dwyer (Flora), John Dwyer (Cindy), Timothy Dwyer (Ann), Kathleen Dwyer Miller (Gregg), Mary Dwyer McKee (Shawn), Pegeen Dwyer Romero (Tim); nineteen grandchildren: Meghan Dwyer, Erin Dwyer Sears (Adam), Colleen Dwyer; Michael Ramsey (John), Charlotte Dwyer Ramsey Gill (Blake); Meredith and Hillary Dwyer; Carolyn and Daniel Dwyer; Emily and John B. Dwyer Jr.; Ashley and Thomas Dwyer; Madeline and Rebecca Miller; Arden and Isabelle McKee; Rees and Grace Romero; four great-grandchildren: Gwendolyn Carbine, Andrew and Kaylee Sears, and Mercer Margaret Gill. She is also survived by her brother, Clement Betpouey, III (Sharon), nieces and nephews, and many grand-nieces.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame (www. ssndcentralpacific.org) or the Gwendolyn B. and Ralph D. Dwyer Jr. Scholarship at Jesuit High School, New Orleans, Louisiana; or Good Shepherd Parish (formerly St. Stephen’s Parish).

A special thanks to Mom’s caregivers, Francis and Kiera, as well as the staff of The Sanctuary at Passages Hospice. Visitation will be at JACOB SCHOEN & SON, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1025 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, LA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and continue until Mass time. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com

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