Plan for the Future
It is with a heavy heart, and also tremendous pride, that Gwen’s daughters share the sad news that their mother, Gwen Waite Moore (nee Hall) peacefully passed away in her sleep on September 22nd.
Gwen was born on October 26, 1937 in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania to Donald Cramer Waite Jr. and Jane Hall Waite. Gwen was raised in Bloomfield, Connecticut and Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. She was a graduate of Grosse Pointe High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in 1959. Having fully enjoyed the snow-capped mountains of Vermont, she convinced her parents it was a good idea to move to Honolulu, Hawaii to pursue her graduate degree at the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii, she met the love of her life, David Leroy Moore, who was stationed as a Lieutenant (j.g.) at Pearl Harbor with the U.S. Navy. Gwen taught graduate school English Literature, and was also employed as a travel agent as she and David began their lives together in Honolulu. Gwen and David moved to Bronxville, New York, to begin to expand their family, before settling in Chatham, New Jersey, where they raised their three daughters, Paige (Waite) Moore Cawley, Julie Hall Moore, and Courtney (Wylie) Moore Weyers.
Gwen loved Chatham, and was actively involved in the Newcomers Club, the PTO, the Junior League of Morristown, and worked as a travel agent at Nu World Travel. However, her true passion was raising her daughters, passing along all of her wisdom, caring, love, and lessons (including grammar, manners, monogram everything, and never leave home without earrings or lipstick!).
Gwen’s presence was palpable, yet dignified – her personality was infectious – and her wicked intellect and sense of humor kept everyone on their toes. If there is one thing that always stands out when Gwen’s family or friends talk about Gwen, everyone comments on her love and importance of family and friends. Every day could be a reason for a celebration – Christmas called for immaculately wrapped Christmas gifts, a tree decorated with handmade ornaments and epic adult Christmas parties. Halloween included homemade creative costumes, birthdays were filled with magicians as well as homemade birthday cakes in the shape of butterflies, “Adult parties” were fun-filled with lobster cookouts, laughter and plenty of cocktails, and Jersey Shore vacations were plentiful and so very special! All called for an over the top celebration – and those memories will provide a lifetime of memories for so many.
Gwen’s family is heartbroken, yet filled with tremendous pride. Pride, as Gwen fought a valiant and stubborn fight against medical obstacles for many years. She could not leave her daughters and fought every challenge that came her way, as she didn’t want to leave her daughters alone. She finally must have decided that she had taught them so very much and that they had learned enough. According to her daughters, they learned they are stronger than they ever thought possible, they learned to persevere after losing their father 20 years ago, and they learned that they are collectively amateur doctors/nurses/psychiatrists and negotiators – and most importantly, they learned that love of family and friends triumphs all. A lesson none of them could read in a book.
Gwen’s daughters were thankful their mother went to sleep and would be reunited with their father, her parents, her beloved pets, her hysterical friends and a HUGE beach full of seaglass just waiting for her! So, to their Mother/Mom/Mum/Gwen/Gigi, her family left her with the same nightly sendoff they had heard from her since they were young girls, “We love you – Good Night – Sweet Dreams”.
Gwen leaves behind a long list of close friends who were considered family, as well as her beloved sons-in-law, Richard Cawley (Paige’s husband), and Richard Weyers (Courtney’s husband). As well, Gwen, or Gigi, as she was known to her grandchildren, was proud to enjoy a special relationship with each of Courtney and Rick’s children, Logan, Colton, Mason and Hunter. Gwen is also survived by her loving brother, Donald Cramer Waite III (Chip), his wife, Karen Waite, as well as Karen’s son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Caroline Leo. Finally, Gwen had a very special and cherished relationship with Chip’s sons, Evan and Justin Waite, with whom she shared a love of books, history, nature, pets and the sea. She was fortunate to meet Justin’s wife, Alison, and virtually meet their two daughters, Violet and Clementine. Finally, Gwen will dearly miss her cousins, Sarah Fujiwara and Tricia (and Mark) Deck, who remained a special part of her life until her passing.
Gwen is predeceased by her parents Donald and Jane Waite, as well as her beloved husband, David. She also will be reunited in heaven with Gary Fujiwara, Sarah’s husband.
Gwen’s family will be welcoming friends and family for visitation on Friday, October 2, from 4-8p at Wm. A Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham. As well, a memorial service/celebration of her life will be held outside on the front lawn of the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township on Saturday October 3 at 11am. Social distancing will be respected on both occasions and masks will be required.
* Reception immediately following at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ on the outside patio in back of the hotel
* Health Questionnaire: All worshipers at the church must turn in a printed Health Questionnaire when arriving at the service. Please print and fill out at home before leaving for the service on Saturday morning. Blank forms will be available onsite if needed. One form can cover your whole family as long as all names are listed. The link for the form is https://bit.ly/2FnqwSw.
* The Outside Worship Service will be streamed live via our YouTube Channel which is the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaNEjZ_OjvHkZDrPZ6Jsd1g
• Subscribing to the channel will help you find the live stream (please subscribe before the service)
• Please refresh the page if you do not see it when the page first loads.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gwen’s name may be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, Madison, NJ or Homeside Hospice/Butterfly Wishes, 67 Walnut Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066.
