Gwendolyn Millicent Martin

Gwendolyn Millicent Martin was the second child born to Allie and Joseph Martin on June 17, 1925, in Fulton, Texas. She is preceded in death by her older brother, Joseph Martin. Gwen grew up on the shady banks of the Kane River in Natchitoches, Louisiana. With the untimely death of her father when Gwen was only two years old, her mother supported the family employed as a housekeeper for the parish priest. It was during this time that Gwen developed a strong faith in God and a life long love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which sustained her through life's many trial.

At the age of twenty Gwen married the handsome young Army private, Roy Gonzaque, and had four children from this union. As a young bride Gwen showed a gift for homemaking and motherhood. Gwen's firs son, Roy Jr., was born in Natchitoches in 1946 followed by her daughter, Janet, in 1948. Gwen's second daughter, Mary Allie, was born in 1952 in Los Angeles, California followed by her youngest son, Joseph Gregory, born in 1954.

After the dissolution of her marriage, Gwen supported her family employed for twenty years as a waitress at Julie's Restaurant, a popular eatery located between USC and Exposition Park. After leaving Julie's restaurant, Gwen began a catering business that continued until she retired in 2000. It was through these efforts and her strong work ethic that she bought and paid for her home located at 1342 West 41st Street in Los Angeles where she lived independently for 40 years until her death.

Gwen had many talents but being and excellent cook and high on her list. Through her delicious family meals Gwen could not only demonstrate her epicurious creativity but also express her deep and sustaining love for her family. Gwen prepared delicious Southern dishes passed down from generation to generation, and developed new recipes that were submitted and published in regional as well as national cookbooks. When Gwen's children and grandchildren gathered at her home for Sunday dinner they were treated to a delicious and abundant meal prepared by Gwen's own loving and generous hands,

Gwen is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Saturday June 18, 2011 from 9 am to 10 am with a service to follow at 10 am.

Services will be held at Montecito Mortuary's Valley View Chapel.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.