Born in Stayton, she lived in Oregon most of her life. Gwenda moved to Salem in 1941 where she attended Salem High School and then studied music at Willamette University. As she embarked on her career at Pacific Northwest Bell, from which she retired in 1983 after 25 years of service, she moved to Beaverton. There she and her husband, Bernard Grindle, raised their two daughters; Sara Padilla and Lizbeth Fuller. In 1976 she married her beloved Charles Kelly, aka “Chuckles” as she called him, and her family grew to include Greg Kelly and Patricia Courtney. She will always be remembered for her unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of those she loved.
Gwenda was a talented tole painter and generously shared her artwork with family and friends. She had a passion for thoughtful gift giving. Gwenda and Chuck relished in their retirement by exploring the contingent United States and Canada by RV. The pair adored their travel group, with whom they had many adventures and stayed in contact with for years.
She is survived by her daughters Sara Padilla, Lizbeth Fuller and husband Jim, Pat Courtney and husband Doug, three beloved grandchildren James Fuller, Sofia Padilla, Kaitlin Peterson and husband Justin, and four beloved great-grandchildren Lexy, Josiah and Jack Peterson and Adelyn Emerson.
There will be a private service at St John The Baptist Episcopal Church in Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory would be greatly appreciated.
DONATIONS
Alzheimer's Association225 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60601
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18