Gwendolyn Ann Galusha, 84, passed on to a Better Life on May 30, 2021, from complications of kidney disease. Born in New Jersey, she attended Allegheny College and later graduated from Penn State. Gwen married a fellow student and moved to Virginia, where her daughter Jeanette ("JJ") and son Mark were born. She worked a multitude of jobs, notably as a teacher in a minority school before integration (along with hand-me-down textbooks and untrained teachers); a social worker; an unemployment counselor; and an agent at a child placement agency, before changing her focus to teaching reading in elementary school.

Following her divorce, Gwen earned master's degrees in reading, elementary school counseling, and middle school counseling. While her children were in college, she married Paul Rizzo, who was retired from the U.S. Army. In their 39 years of marriage, they travelled extensively, sailing on such exotic rivers as the Nile, seeing remote locations like Petra (of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom fame), the tomb of Job and a two-month self-guided tour of New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania.

Gwen was very active in church work. With money she inherited from her great-grandfather's inventions, her help was vital in financing a family life center for her church with basically a substantial interest-free loan (of which she later forgave almost a quarter of it). She also served on various committees, taught classes on parenting and organized an evening multi-church vacation bible school.

Gwen was known for her strength and perseverance. In her last decade of life, she was plagued with constant pain from back surgeries and other injuries, but still carried on. Concern for her health and safety led to her move to a constant care facility, where she resided until her passing.

In addition to her husband Paul, Gwen is survived by "JJ" (Roy), Mark (Polly), stepchildren Vicki, Dug, Kevin, and Andrea, grandchildren Kurt Michael and Jennifer, sisters Auberta, Louise, Manetta, and Muriel, and several younger relatives, all loved.

The family would like to recognize loved ones who helped Gwen prior to and during her declining years, especially "JJ" and Roy, who moved from California to be near her eight years ago prior to her diagnosis; Mark and Polly, who stayed with her at the care facility; Minister Deborah of St. Mark's UMC in Hampton and staff/members; and step-daughter Andrea and six year-old grandson Hoyt, with whom she enjoyed a special, close relationship. (When Hoyt learned Gwen was not going to get well again, he announced: "She will prevail.")

Well, believing Christians agree: Gwen will prevail, and be with her God. Others who know her agree that Gwen prevailed by accepting pain and suffering.

When Hoyt was told Gwen's bed was now empty, he replied, "she kept dreaming and dreaming until she got to Heaven." All who knew her know Gwen HAS prevailed!

Gwen's life will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 99 E Mercury Blvd. in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mark's UMC Children's Fund, with "in memory of Gwen Galusha" in the memo line.

Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton, 757-723-3191.