By Taylor Harrington 2/9/2021 12:47pm ET
When asked what her secret to a long life is, Gwen simply says she loves sweets and has 4 teaspoons of sugar in her tea and thinks this is what keeps her going.
Gwendoline Louie Stotler, or Gwen, was born in Stockport, England, Berkshire County on February 12, 1919, and this Friday marks her 102nd birthday!
Mom has inspired us all by her determination to beat anything she puts her mind to and by her deep, deep, love for her family. She is kind to everyone and thinks you can overcome bad with love and kindness. When the pandemic started she didn’t fuss about staying in or wearing a mask. She said she wore a gas mask and lived in blackout as a teenager during the war, so this could easily be done. She was born during the Spanish Flu, saw war, hard times, and wonderful times. She was always there when we came home from school. Always made breakfast, lunch, and dinner… with desserts! That made me want to do the same for my children. She worked very hard at everything she did, and she did it well. As age began to creep in, Mom would take classes, exercise, and eat well to stay of strong mind and body. She has inspired many people that have crossed her path. Jackie Steele, Daughter
Before meeting and marrying the love of her life, Harold, Gwen worked at a gas company until she was called to help spot bombers and sound the sirens during WWII. Gwen met and married Harold in England during the war and they eventually landed in Coshocton, Ohio, just about 40 miles from Newark, where Harold was originally from. The couple would enjoy most of their 68 years of marriage living in Coshocton while visiting their cabin in Parry Sound, Ontario most summers, and their retirement home in Florida until Harold passed away in 2014.
Having such an eye for beauty, Gwen worked as a seamstress and had her own upholstery and tailoring business, did work for an interior decorator, and also worked at Three Rivers Pottery making floral arrangements for many years.
Gwen, being the independent woman that she is, was still living alone with her beautiful Siamese cat, Simba, up until 2020 when she suffered a heart attack followed by Covid and chose to move into a luxury resort-style adult care facility. When asked what her secret to a long life is, Gwen simply says she loves sweets and has 4 teaspoons of sugar in her tea and thinks this is what keeps her going. According to her daughter Jackie, though, they know that it is her Mom’s determination, stubbornness, and love of life and family.
Jackie says, “Mom has inspired us all by her determination to beat anything she puts her mind to and her deep, deep, love for her family. She is kind to everyone and thinks you can overcome bad with love and kindness. When the pandemic started she didn’t fuss about staying in or wearing a mask. She said she wore a gas mask and lived in blackout as a teenager during the war, so this could easily be done. She was born during the Spanish Flu and saw war, hard times, and wonderful times. She was always there when we came home from school. Always made breakfast, lunch, and dinner… with desserts! That made me want to do the same for my children. She worked very hard at everything she did and she did it well. As age began to creep in, Mom would take classes, exercise, and eat well to stay of strong mind and body. She has inspired many people that have crossed her path.”
Gwen has many loving friends and family that are so excited to help her celebrate her 102nd birthday including her Children: Chris, Steve, Cheri, and Jackie Grandchildren: Teresa, Tammy, Rochelle, Kerrie, Kevin, Alayna, Colin, Elise, Corey and Robyn, Chad and Scotty, and Great Grandchildren: Zack, Lexi, Robyn, Carissa, Aidan, Kiera, Miley, and Nathan.
Send Gwen a Birthday Card:
