Winifred “Wynne” Gillen
Wynne (Hastings) Gillen was born on December 3, 1932 in Schiller Park, Ill. (Chicago area) to Edgar Wellington Hastings and Bessie Muddeman Hastings. Upon the passing of her mother, she warmly welcomed step mother, Ann Johnson Hastings into her heart and life.
Wynne graduated high school and began college at University of Illinois, where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Gillen. They were married in 1953 and proceeded to have a large family including 2 sets of twins; with 6 of these children arriving in a very short 4 ½ year time span, and the youngest 4 years later to finish the “Gillen Gang”. Dick and Wynne moved the family from Dayton, Ohio to El Lago, Tx in 1964 where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Wynne passed from this life on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at her home, with several of her children present.
She is preceded in death by her: husband, Dick; sister and brother in law, Kay & Larry Larsen; brother in law and sister in law, Jack & Betty Gillen; and brother in law, Earl Anderson; son in law, Dennis Lewis; and daughter in law, Brenda Gillen.
Wynne is survived by her: seven children and spouses, Paul, Mary Lewis, Ron, Amy Lewis (Nate), Dave (Kathy), Sandy Cantu (Rick) and Peggy. She is also survived by: twelve grandchildren and spouses, Zack (April), Travis (Laura), Cristy, Kristin (Kyle), Jeff (Monet), Drew (Ariel), Leah, Brett (Christina), Erica (David), David, John, and Alissa; and eleven great grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Dick and Wynne were both very involved in the lives and activities of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and in their parish community, St. Paul’s. They established the “Samaritan Ministry” in which they coordinated luncheons by volunteers for families following the Funeral Mass.
Wynne was a loving, caring person who had a welcoming smile and the ability to connect easily with almost anyone and she was blessed with many friends. She was an excellent cook and possessed many talents and had a wide variety of interests, including dancing, music and travel. She inspired many with her positive outlook and ability to see the good, even in challenging situations.
The following services will take place to celebrate her life:
Monday, September 7th 4:30 pm Visitation, 6:00 pm Vigil Service, followed by Rosary at Crowder Funeral Home 111 E. Medical Center Blvd. Webster, TX 77598. Phone 281-280-9000
Tuesday, September 8th 1:00 pm Funeral Mass with Rev. Wencil Pavlovsky presiding at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 18223 Point Lookout Dr. Nassau Bay, TX 77058. Phone 281-333-3891
Wednesday, September 9th Interment with family only at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dickinson, TX.
For those wishing to make a charitable donation in her honor, please contribute to:
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church https://membership.faithdirect.net/TX596
American Lung Association: www.lung.org
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. She was a sweet woman who had the most wonderful children and grandchildren. She left behind a wonderful legacy in them. May you find comfort in all the beautiful memories you share with her.
I am so happy that I had the privilege of knowing Wynne. I met her when she came to visit her daughter and my very best friend, Mary, while Mary lived in Flower Mound, TX. Wynne, was a very sweet, kind and fun lady. I know you will each miss her.
Glad she is now reunited with her husband and other loved ones.
Barb Longley
My heartfelt condolences to the Gillen family. Dick and Wynne were positive role models who I respected. Your whole family were among my best memories.
Until you meet again heartfelt condolences.
I will miss her kind a familiar smile at Mass even though I don’t think we knew one another personally.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gillen family. Aunt Wynne was just a wonderful, kind & loving person. She is now with Uncle Dick and together they are at peace forever. We all have so many happy memories of their family vacations coming to WI in the VW mini-van. A life well lived!
Wynne was a great lady. We worked together for the City of El Lago back in the 70’s before she went to work for WCID #50. I also worked with Dick when he served on the El Lago city council.
Dick and Wynne were a great duo. You can all be very proud of them and I know you will miss your Mom but she will be with your Dad once again.
Love, prayers and sympathy to your family.
Jean Raffetto
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Wynne and her family while growing up in El Lago. Especially when I had dinner at your house with all the kids sitting at that big table in your kitchen. She touched a lot of people.
Wynne was a strong and remarkable woman and one of my dearest friends for many years. We met when our husbands were attending the Air Force Institute of Technology in Dayton and we were neighbors. Our children became friends and when our daughter, Gayle, was born, Dick and Wynne agreed to be her Godparents. We would all gather around their kitchen table for breakfast after Sunday Mass and that was still true as the children grew up and the family moved to El Lago, Texas. Bill asked Dick to come to the Manned Space Center in Houston and I still remember when the family came and stayed with us in Clear Lake City before we all moved to El Lago. Wynne was always aware of our busy lives and would find so many ways to help me get through some critical events. She was a true friend…