Gwen Gordon, 87, of Linwood, N.J., and Killington, Vt., passed away on Sept. 11, 2015 with her family by her side. She fought a courageous battle with cancer.
Gwen Gordon was born in Philadelphia in 1927, living briefly in Hi-Nella before moving to South Jersey. She attended Linwood and Northfield Public Schools, graduating from Atlantic City High School in 1945. After graduating with honors from the Atlantic City Hospital Nursing School in 1948, she worked as an RN at Bellevue Hospital in New York City before returning to Atlantic City Hospital. Upon returning to Atlantic City she met a police officer and her husband-to-be, Ed Gordon. They married and moved to Linwood in 1951, where their family was raised. She continued her career at Atlantic City Medical Center, retiring after 36 years of service.
As the times dictated, she was called into service early and often. At 10 years old, she helped manage her mother’s convenience store located in Northfield at the corner of Oakcrest Ave. and Shore Road. During the war, she taught gym in high school while still a student, as most of the men had enlisted. Later she was an RN in the naval reserves.
Gordon always said that she was born before her time. Throughout her life, fitness, health and maintaining an active lifestyle were paramount. In her youth, she routinely swam pier-to-pier off the Atlantic City beaches for exercise. Into her late 80s she skied and hiked with her dogs in the mountains of Vermont. Always a competitor, she excelled in many sports. Striving to live in balance with nature led to a love of gardening and hours tending not only to her own, but those of her family and neighbors. Being the horticultural-RN, she preferred natural remedies to medicine, but said a shot of whiskey was always best for settling an upset stomach.
Gordon loved to travel with her family. Pictures of their many journeys covered the walls of her home. She was particularly fond of her special vacations to Europe with her grandchildren. In the summer Gwen and family could be found on the beach at 26th Street in Longport, a tradition she passed on to her children. She enjoyed swimming and tennis with the girls at the MRA, where she was one of the founding members. She was a life-long learner and an earnest reader, staying current on local, state, and world affairs. She always spoke her mind and would share her knowledge, experience, and opinions freely, and always enjoyed a captive audience.
Gwen Gordon loved all animals, but dogs were her favorite. She was never without her steadfast companion Jack (and previously: Stanley, Copper, Heidi, Mindy, Mandy & Tinkerbell). She was a regular supporter of many animal and environmental causes.
She loved Linwood, and her neighbors, old and new, however, Vermont was truly Gwen Gordon’s happy place at any season. She loved skiing, hiking, swimming and exploring the towns and countryside of New England with family and friends. Her house on Pico holds many good memories for family and friends from the South Jersey area.
She will be missed, but her legacy will live on in us all forever.
Gwen is predeceased by her parents; her brother, Edward Huber (Pierette); husband Charles Edward Gordon; and grandchild Tyler Gordon. She is survived by her children, Christine of Northfield, Brian of Northfield, and Todd (Maureen) of Linwood; and grandchildren, Kelli Lane Stover (Jake), and Scott, Keith, Anna, Michael and Tommy Gordon.
A visitation was held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road, Northfield, N.J. A memorial service followed.
Arrangements entrusted to and condolences may be left for her family at Adams-Perfect.com.
