Gwendolyn Angela McCarthy

Gwen started life in Bigwoods St Elizabeth, Jamaica, with Josephine Chen and Roy Logan, but resided in the home of her grandmother, Ruth Gordon (Ms. Ruth). During her childhood, Gwen was described as being a “tiny little thing”, who was kind to her friends, always sharing items she received from her mother and stepfather (who resided in the USA) with her friends while putting fear in the hearts of school age boys, when she stepped to the plate to bat, when playing cricket. At the age of 5, Gwen met her stepfather (aka Daddy), Roy Chen during his trip back to Jamaica, Mr. Chen immediately fell in love. This love resulted in Gwen, eventually relocating to the home of one of his relatives where she resided while attending High School. Gwen was said to be the “eyeball” of both her father and stepfather.

Gwen was a member of the New Testament Church of God Bigwoods, active in the youth choir, where she sang her heart out to the Lord during worship and a member of the FTH Group. Gwen’s education started at Bigwoods Basic, to Bigwood’s Primary and then Newell Secondary School. Gwen went on to attend St Joseph’s High School in Mandeville and then Excelsior Community College, where she studied Nursing. Gwen’s Nursing degree landed her employment as a Nurse at University of the West Indies.

While in nursing school Gwen met her husband, Ralph. They attended church at the Salvation Army Kingston Central Corps but got married in May 1985 at the Boulevard Church of the Nazarene surrounded by friends and families. Gwen then migrated to the US to be with her husband who was serving in the US Army.

Gwen traveled and live with her husband in numerous states in the US and in both South Korea and Germany. She eventually gained employment with the military, working with the Army Community Service, an organization dedicated to the thing she loved most…taking care of others. Gwen served with this organization for almost 25 years until her retirement. It was during her time in Germany, that Gwen gave birth to Christopher McCarthy, after a tenuous pregnancy. Unfortunately, Christopher did not survive; however, he is now being held by his mother, Gwen. Gwen and Ralph made the decision to adopt Devonta and Malick - sons of one of her cousins - who had passed away. To help facilitate this Gwen, due to immigration and residency requirements, made the sacrifice to take a job with the US Army in South Korea while her husband stayed in the US. The boys transition from Jamaica to Korea was not an easy one, however, Gwen stood by them through it all. Gwendolyn had a love for travel; she shared this love with her parents, both birth and in-laws, other family members and friends. She would frequently be found planning the next trip and the one after that and the one after that.

Despite leaving Jamaica to be with her husband, Gwen’s deep rooted love for Jamaica never waned. She maintained consistent contact with her relatives and friends in Jamaica and made numerous trips home. She was already in the planning process for the next trip home when her illness made it difficult to travel, then to communicate.

Gwen is survived by four sisters, seven brothers and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, along with her husband (Ralph), son (Malik) and parents.

Gwendolyn played many roles during her life on earth, while caring for others. She exuded the spirit of a true Jamaican, known for always making eye contact with a smile with the ability to draw, family and strangers into conversations in every and any settings where she sat idle.

Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on October 30, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on October 31, 2026 at 10:30 AM

A Committal Service will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Cremation Gardens, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734, US, on October 31, 2026 at 12:00 pm