Gwendolyn Andersen has passed away at the age of 89. She was the mother of our current Treasurer, Charlene Andersen. I did not personally know Gwendolyn or her husband Donald but after reading her obituary I wish I’d had a chance to get to know this couple. They were Clary Lake Association members “back in the day” long before I got involved with the Association. Looking through old association records I find Gwendolyn and Donald’s names on a membership list from the year 1999 which is as far back as I have digital records. Charlene’s parents and grandparents bought adjoining camps on the west shore of the lake off Hornpout Lane back in the early 1960s which are still in the family today. By 2020, the main Andersen camp was getting pretty tired and Charlene and her sister Pennilyn were able to engage the Maine Cabin Masters to give their camp a new lease on life (see Episode 603 of Season 6). There is a 40 minute video of the project supposedly available on various subscription services (I just watched it on Hulu). Gwendolyn makes an appearance at the end of the video to see the completed project.
The Board offers their condolences to Charlene and her family for the loss of their mother. Gwendolyn’s official obituary can be found at the Cota Funeral Home website. It is duplicated in part here.
Gwendolyn Rice Andersen, 89 of Wilmington, MA passed away January 30th 2025.
A lifelong resident of Wilmington, Gwen was the cherished daughter to Norman and Thelma Rice. She graduated from Wilmington High in 1953. She worked in the medical field and later was the bookkeeper for her husband, Don’s businesses (D&D Gulf in Wilmington and Lincoln Ave Gulf in Haverhill), and was the customer service representative at Sears Hardware where she enjoyed helping customers.
She had a strong conviction to her beliefs. Gwen was active in her church and volunteered in the school system for many years. She enjoyed playing her Wurlitzer organ, teaching her children sports and watching sports, especially the Red Sox. Through the years she and Donnie enjoyed bowling, dancing, travel and their cottage in Maine. Gwen will be most remembered for her unconditional love, dry sense of humor and her quick wit often accompanied by a twinkle in her eyes and a slight grin, then laughter by those around her. She was greatly loved, and loved back wholeheartedly, and will be missed.
Gwen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald “Donnie” of 53 years. She was the devoted mother of William and his spouse Tracey of Sandwich, Charlene and her spouse Cheryl Smith of Nottingham, NH, and Pennilyn Dudley and her spouse Paul of Wilmington, and loving grandmother of Derek and Karl Andersen. Gwen is also survived by her brother, Norman Rice Jr., sister Muriel Collins and several nieces and nephews.
A private interment will be held at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington MA
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gwen’s name may be made to Clary Lake Association PO Box 127 Whitefield ME 04353
This post can be found on our Members No Longer With Us page.