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Gwendolyn 'Gwen' Hensley

Lifelong Chicago Heights

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hensley nee Ruhe. Lifelong Chicago Heights resident and parishioner of St Paul’s Lutheran Church. Graduate of Bloom High School. Member of the Bloom High School Band playing the French horn. Gwen worked for numerous banks in the Chicago Heights area, Financial Federal, 1st National, and Citizen Financial as bank teller. She was a secretary at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Past PTA President at Greenbriar School and Honorary Lifetime PTA member. Member of the St Paul’s Lutheran Altar Guild, a girl scout and cub scout leader, and OTYA Team Mom for years. Wife for 52 years of the late  of James Hensley.  Mother of James E. (Kathryn) Jr, Thomas W (Jennifer) Hensley and Cynthia K. (fiancé Ed Lustig)  Fonseca. Grandmother of Gretchen (Edward) Speckart, Aaron Hensley, Bryce, Blake and Brett Hensley, Krista, Kayla, Joshua and Kaitlyn Fonseca. Great grandmother of Hannah Speckhart, Xavier and Izaiah Fonseca. Daughter of the late Frances Vollmer and Fred Ruhe Sr. Sister of the late Frederick “Fred” (late Mary) Ruhe, and Marilyn Letko. Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Friend of many. Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 W 14th St (US Rt 30, 3 blks E of Western Ave), Chicago Heights on Saturday November 7th from 10:30 AM until time of funeral services 2:00 PM. Inurnment St Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Flossmoor. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gwen’s name to the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry, 3020 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL, 60062 or www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/give-lcc-k-9. Due to the pandemic, masks must be worn and social distancing when inside the funeral home. Info 708-481-9230 and panozzobros.com.   

3 Comments

  • Andrew D. Thomas

    on 10/31/20

    Gwen was a life long friend.  In the eighth grade we were to turn in a book report on a self selected library book. When the report was to be handed to the teacher I turned to Gwen and asked her to write a book report for me to turn in.  She laughed and wrote it very quickly.  I wrote my name on it, turned it in and felt relieved. The next day I found the book report on the black board with an excellent grade on it.  The teacher reported it as an outstanding book report.  Gwen could not get over that. I thanked her a million times after that.

    When we last met at the Boom High School reunion a year or two ago she came up to me and said "you still owe me for that book report."  I said " yes I do " and thanked her one last time.  I thought about her a couple of days ago only to find that she had passed. 

    She is now on the path in front of us and she now belongs to the ages.  We shall meet again!

  • Bill and Carol Rhind

    on 10/31/20

    Dear Cindy and family

    So sorry to hear about your Mom.

    we think back about our paths crossed with the baseball games it was a fun time!

    want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers
    love Bill and Carol

  • John Ferry

    on 11/02/20

    Jim, Tom, and family, please accept my condolences.

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