Gwendolyn Sims

Gwendolyn Ann Sims, 51, of Topeka, loving daughter, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully January 30, 2007. Born in Lawrence, Kansas on September 15, 1955, Gwen was the daughter of Norman and Carol Jester Gates. She spent her formative years in the United States and Europe and her teens in Hawaii, but always considered Topeka her home. Gwen received a degree in Social Work from Washburn University and her Masters' in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Her commitment and desire to help others was her greatest strength and her lasting legacy.

Gwen loved photography, painting, the creative arts, gardening, garage sales and exploring with her amazing friends. The light of her life were her grandsons, Sam, Jackson, and Joel. She had a natural magnetism that attracted children and the young at heart. This personal quality was endeared in the title "Favorite Aunt Gwen".

Gwen is survived by her mother and father, two daughters, Laurell Sims of Skokie, IL and Malia Nace of Canton, TX and their families, and her siblings, Sandy Gates of Anniston, AL, Brian Gates, of Topeka, Eric Gates, of Golden, CO, and Dana Gates, of Lawrence and their families. She was deeply loved and will be missed daily.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2007 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Garbo Lei Treasure Garden at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Post Office Box 4014, Topeka, Kansas 66604.

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.Penwell-Gabel.com