Gwendolyn Blakenly

Gwendolyn Blakenly was born on February 7, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, the first of two children to William and Eloise Blakenly. Gwen accepted Christ at an early age at which time she was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church. From that time on, she continued to be an upstanding and active member for the rest of her life. She worked in the church and with People's Community Credit Union, when Shiloh merged with Antioch, she continued to work. She was a devoted secretary at the Sunday school until her health began to fail in 2014. Gwen graduated from Central High and went to continue her education at Finn College. She worked at Crayton Sausage until they went out of business. Later, Gwen began working for First Bank until she retired. Being the hard worker that she was, Gwen just couldn't sit still. She began working at GE/Nela Park Credit Union, then Volunteers of America and lastly Benjamin Rose. Gwen was a jack of all trades and had many hobbies. She loved to knit, crochet, sew and needlepoint. She was a computer wiz, a tax preparer and "Miss Fix-It" around the house. Gwen was witty, compassionate, giving and smart. She believed in education and was directly responsible for influencing her beloved cousin, Josephine Phillips to go back to school to get her High School Diploma. Gwen supported Josephine's daughter, Donna Phillips in getting her College Education at Central State University and supported her God Child, Michelle Mass at Virginia Martin College of Fashion & Art, Ursuline College, and Cleveland State University. Gwen was everyone's "go-to" person, financial advisor and babysitter because most of all she loved children. Gwen leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving cousin, Josephine Phillips (the sister she never had), her devoted godchild, Michelle Mass (the daughter she never had), and a host of friends and relatives.