Obituary: Gwen Marie Hoadley
July 21, 1976 – June 27, 2024
July 5, 2024 Gwen Marie Hoadley passed away unexpectedly on the morning of June 27, 2024.
Gwen Marie Hoadley, 1976-2024. Courtesy photo
Born July 21, 1976, in Berlin, Vermont, Gwen was a giver, embodied by a life of volunteer and other meaningful work within the community.
Gwen was active in her early days as a volunteer with Mad River Ambulance Services, and she has remained avidly involved with River Run Productions events, Valley Players Theater, Mad River Valley Interfaith Council, and Vermont Special Olympics.
Gwen held many job positions over her lifetime, all of which revolved around human support services. She worked for the state of Vermont Department for Children and Families services, Harwood Union High School (where she also graduated class of ’94) as a paraeducator, River Station Family Dentistry, and Northeast Kingdom Human Services where she passionately cared for her clients with the same love and warmth she would extend to her own family.
Some of Gwen’s greatest joys included reading, especially on the beach whenever possible, basking in the sunrise and sunsets of Vermont, baking the best homemade goods always from scratch, putt-putt golf, and any activities accompanied by her beloved grandchildren including many fishing trips spent with her eldest grandson, Eli. One of Gwen’s highest passions has been becoming a grandmother and beloved “meemaw” to her five beautiful grandchildren.
Gwen is remembered by her parents, Diane and Paul Farnham, Robert and Teresa Hoadley; her siblings Kelley and Michael Mayo, Zeb and Tommi Farnham, Joey and Chelsea Hoadley, Eric, Sherri and Sara Hoadley; daughters Taylor and Madison Commo; grandchildren Eli Connaway, Nola, Aurora, Xaraphinea and Xavier Smith; longtime companion, Travis McAllister; best friends Scott and Lisa Carpenter, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many dearly cherished extended family and lifelong friends.
Among many things, Gwen was known for being an unofficial aunt/mom to many of Taylor and Madison’s close friends and has touched many lives deeply, effortlessly becoming second family to anyone in need of a big smooch, a famous Gwen hug or offering her hand in support to anyone in need of love.
Gwen’s Celebration of Life will be held this Saturday, July 6, beginning with funeral services at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 50 S. Main St., Waterbury.
A reception promptly following Gwen’s service will be held at Farr’s Field, 1901 U.S. Route 2, Waterbury.
To celebrate Gwen’s life, please consider sharing a random act of kindness, pay-it-forward, or a hug with someone you love. If you wish to donate in Gwen’s name, please consider Vermont Special Olympics or Mad River Valley Interfaith Council. To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit perkinsparker.com.