On February 11, 1979, in Harvey, Illinois, Gwenette R. Bradley Newson was born to the happy parents of Mr. Julius Allen and Mrs. Vanessa Bradley. Her father, Julius, preceded her in death. 
Gwenette, affectionally known as “Precious”, graduated from Thornridge High School with a high school diploma and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Northern University of Dekalb, Illinois.

Gwen married Christopher Newson, the love of her life, and she was a devoted and caring mother to their two wonderful children, Robert Jones Jr. and Layloni Hurd, both of whom gave her great joy. Her family was the most important to her.

Gwen integrated her strong work ethic, deep connection to her faith, and unwavering dedication to her family and church into her everyday life. She loved spending time with her loved ones and was involved in a number of community organizations, including the Riverdale Park Foundation and S.I.S.T.E.R.S. She worked for the Riverdale Park District for more than 18 years as an administrator and board secretary, utilizing her certification as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Her most important appointment was being a child of God where she served the kingdom faithfully with reverence and joy.  Since the beginning of the church, Gwen was appointed the role of church administrator and oversaw a variety of additional responsibilities.

During her leisure time, Gwen often immersed herself in reading books, tuning into the Food Network Channel, and enthusiastically cheering on her beloved basketball and football teams. She loved her favorite culinary delights of Italian and Mexican cuisine, as well as listening to the soulful melodies of gospel music and Motown classics.

She will be cherished for her gentle manner, infectious smile, and steadfast faith. Her service and kind nature, which impacted everyone she came into contact with, will be her greatest legacies. She did not give up even when she did not have full physical strength. Gwen endured until the Lord said, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." From labor to reward, the Lord called His daughter home on April 12, 2024.

Gwen leaves to cherish her memory and legacy:  her loving and dedicated husband Christopher; children Robert Jr. and Layloni; mother Vanessa Bradley; brothers Marquette Bradley (Barbara), Rudy Bradley, Gregory Allen (Sharon), Julius Jr. (LaVelle), Avery Allen (Shernette), Quincy Allen, Carlton Allen; sisters Edith Morgan (Jerome), Bonita Allen; mother-in-love Toni Newson; brothers-in-love Crevie Newson (Debra), Charles Newson (Nahira), Conway Jackson (Melody); sisters-in-love Regina Farojoye (Johnson), Rita Newson, Gwendolyn Newson, JoAnn Kelly (Cozell), Ronda Newson; aunts, uncles, Godchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, the Resurrected Word of Life Ministries Church and the park district community of Riverdale, Illinois.

As we pay tribute to her memory, let's reflect on Gwen's beloved quote by Benjamin Franklin:

“Excuses are monuments of nothingness. They build bridges to nowhere. Those who use these tools of incompetence seldom become anything but nothing at all.”

May her legacy encourage us to lead meaningful lives, filled with compassion and a commitment to helping those around us.