Gwen Ann Williams

Gwen Ann Williams

Gwen Ann Williams, 62, Topeka, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at her home after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Miss Williams was a retired school teacher. She was born in Topeka, the daughter of Wilbur "Glen" and the late Ramona Williams. She graduated from Seaman High School and received a B.A. in music education from Washburn University. While working her way through college, Gwen was in the Cascades, a band that played throughout the Midwest. Gwen taught both band and vocal music in the Netawaka-Soldier-Whiting district, Williamstown, Perry-Lecompton, Grantville, Indian Creek, and North Fairview schools. After her retirement she was a partner in a party supply store, Party Tyme, in Topeka. She enjoyed more than 40 years of membership in Sweet Adeline's International and was presently a member of the Friends In Harmony Chorus in Topeka. Gwen was a member of the Gage Park Baptist Church as a child and later attended Fairlawn Heights Wesleyan Church in Topek a. She is survived by her father and longtime friend and caregiver, Kathy Cornish, and her son, Tom Cornish. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in North Topeka. Miss Williams will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at the funeral chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends In Harmony Chorus, 2215 S.W. Arvonia, Topeka, 66614, or Heartland Hospice, 1033 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, 66604.