GWEN SEARS OBITUARY

The Reverend Phyllis Gwendolyn Irene Watson Sears, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, faithful friend, mentor, counselor, spiritual guide, and joyful servant of God departed this world on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 2:02 am, at the age of 94.

Gwen was born January 9, 1928 in Rhinebeck, NY to Clarance and Helen (Nairn) Watson. The family later settled in Dalton, MA, where Gwen attended high school, graduating in 1945. She attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, VA, focusing on Cultural Studies. In her youth, she excelled in equestrian arts, tennis and basketball. She married the love of her life, Noel, in 1948, and they made their home on Kirchner Road in Dalton, MA, in an old farmhouse affectionately known to the family as "Mayhem Manor".

Gwen was a dedicated member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Parish in Pittsfield, MA, since 1952, serving as Director of Christian Education, among other roles as a layperson. After her ordination as Deacon in 1982, she became a full-time member of the clergy until her retirement in 1989. Gwen would spend the rest of her life in service to God and her community, bringing communion to those in need, counseling dear friends and parishioners, performing marriage ceremonies, and championing social justice and environmental causes.

In her later years, Gwen found continued spiritual fulfillment in travel, particularly to the British Isles where she spent time with many cousins and friends. Her travels eventually brought her to Iona, Scotland. On this small, remote island, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in Scotland, she enjoyed a peace and a stillness that fortified her faith. For over two decades, she spent several weeks each summer living and working among the island's 170 residents.

Since 2006, Gwen was an active resident of Kimball Farms in Lenox, MA, where she busied herself writing, painting, learning photography, gardening, jewelry making, and carefully curating films for the community's movie club. Many there remember her efforts to beautify the grounds with a bird and wildflower garden so that the residents could enjoy a perpetual green space.

Gwen was predeceased by her beloved husband Noel C. Sears, in 1978. She leaves behind four loving children: Nancy (Sears) Garton of Adams, MA (Barry Garton), Andrea Sears of NYC (Mary O'Shaugnessy), Deborah (Sears) Levin of Bend, OR (Jeffrey Levin), and Charles Sears of Cape Coral, FL. She also leaves behind a devoted tribe of 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Pittsfield, MA at 1:00pm. Visit www.ststephenspittsfield.org for a link to the live streamed presentation for those who are unable to attend in person. Omission of flowers has been requested in favor of donations to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.