Gwendolyn Janet DeYoung Oliver, daughter of Robert and Henrietta (Wilkens), died peacefully October 2, 2026, in Taos, New Mexico. Gwen was born July 28, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of three siblings. From the beginning she was a joy-filled, ambitious, fearless, beautiful girl who challenged barriers and saw the best and the positive in everything and everybody. She attended schools in Chicago and Elgin, graduating from Elgin High School in 1956. In high school she was active as a cheerleader, chorus, orchestra, where she excelled on the string bass, and a host of other activities. She graduated from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1960, again participating in many activities and receiving many honors and awards.

After graduation Gwen and her cousin Judy, also a graduate of Coe, drove to Illinois and found teaching positions in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights. Gwen taught high school girl’s physical education in District 214 for several years, leaving for summers of travel throughout Europe with her cousin. In 1966 she enrolled in a Master of Arts degree program at San Jose State, San Jose, California, and received her degree in 1967. That same summer she met Richard when he was making hospital calls. She had flown from California to be with her mother as she was having surgery. Richard saw this beautiful, sun-tanned girl in her mother’s hospital room and entered the room specifically to meet her. They went out the next night and the rest is history. Gwen returned to her teaching position in Cupertino. They corresponded by mail, talked on the telephone, and saw each other a few times over the ensuing months. They were married on June 16, 1968, in Portola Valley, California. They returned to Elgin where Richard was a pastor and Gwen taught at Larkin High School. Their first child, John, was born in 1969.

In the following years Gwen was active in their churches while maintaining an active life beyond the church. She held positions of leadership in district and conference levels of the United Methodist Women. She was active in her sorority, Delta Delta Delta and the Northwest Choralettes in which she sang and played the double bass. A second child, Elizabeth Ann, was born in 1972 but died shortly after birth. A second daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1974. During 58 years of their marriage Gwen and Richard lived in Elgin, Wood Dale, Buffalo Grove, and since 2005, Taos, New Mexico.

Gwen loved to travel. In her life she reached nearly one hundred countries and forty-nine of the fifty states. Once introduced to tent camping she enjoyed it enthusiastically and was willing to camp in the most rustic and primitive of sites. She was an excellent golfer and competitive in every activity and sport.

In 1990, at 52 years of age, she decided she wanted to become a nurse. She applied to the R.N. program at Elgin Community College, was accepted (the oldest one in her class), and received her R.N. degree with highest honors in 1992. In Taos Gwen enjoyed all the arts, especially the Taos Chamber Music, Taos Art Museum, and browsing the galleries for pieces to add to their collection. She was a long-time member of P.E.O. both in Illinois and Taos. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir, active in the Presbyterian Women, and faithful in attendance.

Gwen lived her life to the fullest and saw the best in everyone and everything. She seldom complained, even as she spent nearly five years as a resident of the Taos Healthcare facility. Whatever life offered she met it with grace, faith, courage, and a smile. She will be missed by a host of friends worldwide, but most of all her husband, Richard, children, John (Brenda), Jennifer, and grandchildren, Justin and Amanda Oliver, and Jack Pagano, and sister, Jane Anderson who was always willing to share her bed when her little sister had bad dreams.

Gwen is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dan, daughter, Elizabeth Ann, brother-in-law, Alan Anderson, and niece, Susan Alford. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Richard Oliver, son, John Oliver (Brenda), daughter, Jennifer Oliver, grandchildren, Justin and Amanda Oliver, and Jack Oliver Pagano, sister, Jane Anderson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Taos, Friday, October 9, at 11:00 AM. A later service will be held for family and friends in Elgin, Illinois on Saturday, November 28, 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please consider gifts to Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gifts should be marked as being in honor of Gwen DeYoung Oliver.

Thanks are offered by the family to the nurses, aides, administrators, and all employees of Taos Healthcare for their kindness, care, attention, and love for Gwen during the nearly five years of residency at the facility. Thanks also to the administrators and nurses of Red Willow Hospice for their special attention to all of Gwen’s need during the lengthy period in which she was under hospice care. And thanks to all who responded to Gwen’s smile and warmth with words of encouragement and love.

The family of Gwendolyn Janet DeYoung Oliver have granted Rivera Family Funeral Home the honor of serving them.