Grace Gwendolyn 'Gwen' Nolen
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Grace Gwendolyn "Gwen" Nolen, 87, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010, at her home in Creve Coeur, Mo.
She was born June 20, 1923, in Ina, the daughter of Charles Ward and Verdie Clinton Smith.
She met Frederick (Fred) Dale Nolen, the love of her life, in Harrisburg when in the eighth grade. They married on April 19, 1947. In 1958, after he completed dental school and a two-year specialization in orthodontics at the University of Illinois in Chicago, they moved to Carbondale, where he opened his practice. He preceded her in death in 1994.
Gwen was a devoted mother to three children and contributed to their lives with encouragement and love. Cindi Nolen Allen of Port Orchard, Wash., Scott Frederick Nolen and his wife, Rachel, of St. Louis, and Patricia Nolen of St. Louis will forever miss her nurturing nature and loyalty to family.
In addition to her children, she leaves four cherished grandchildren, Erik Nolen Allen and his wife, Ann, of Menlo Park, Calif., Ryan Nolen Allen of Carbondale, Chelsea Leigh Nolen and Nicholas Scott Nolen of St. Louis, Mo. She also left one most loved nephew, Joseph Nolen Gaul of Sausalito, Calif.; a devoted and treasured niece, Kate Gaul of Lincoln, Neb.; and her sister-in-law, Olive Nolen Gaul also of Lincoln.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by many aunts, uncles and cousins; her mother-in-law, Pearl Murphy Nolen; brother-in-law, Joseph G. Gaul; and son-in-law, John Robert Allen.
Gwen's greatest joys in life were spending time in her home with her family and with her circle of special friends. She loved to dance to big band music with her husband, had a wonderful sense of humor and playfulness in addition to a classic sense of style. She took pride in her extensive knowledge of English grammar and usage and never missed an opportunity to recite delightfully specific rules.
Although she considered Carbondale to be her home, Harrisburg was the place that she connected to in her youth. She remained loyal to many hometown friends and cherished wonderful memories of her life there. She was a graduate of Harrisburg Township High School.
She and Dr. Nolen were active contributors to many local charities, sponsored Southern Illinois University Sports Hall of Fame events and initiated a John A. Logan Scholarship Fund.
Memorials may be sent to the John A. Logan Dr. Fred Nolen Memorial Scholarship Fund for Dental Hygiene Students or the American Cancer Society.
A most special acknowledgment is given to her longtime caregivers from Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield, Mo. Susan Burkemper, Helen Davis, Annie Rice, and Shirley Williams all stayed by her side and became special friends to the entire family. They provided peace, comfort, love, protection, care and laughter during her illness. Thanks, prayers and gratitude are given to all of them.
A private celebration of her life will be planned for family members.