•St. John, Gwen, Albion: Gwen St. John, age 88, died peacefully Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Martin-Linsin Residence of Hospice of Orleans after a prolonged illness. She was born in Albion, New York on August 15, 1927 to the late George, DDS, and Clara (Peters) Bakeman. She was married to the late Vincent J. St. John for 54 years. She was preceded in death by her brothers Charles Bakeman and George Bakeman and sister, Lois Ricci. Gwen was a descendent of Daniel Bakeman, said to be the last surviving veteran of the Revolutionary War.
Gwen lived her entire life in Orleans County, growing up on South Clinton Street in the Village of Albion and residing in the Town of Gaines for over 60 years. She was a faithful, life-long, member of First Baptist Church in Albion where at various times she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and helped to cook and serve numerous church dinners.
Gwen graduated from Albion High School in 1944 and from Rochester General Hospital as a registered nurse in 1948. She worked for several years as a registered nurse at Arnold Gregory Hospital in Albion and continued to maintain her nursing license until the age of 82. In 1960, she and Vince purchased the Albion-Holley Pennysaver, which they jointly operated until their retirement in 1989. Gwen and Vince thought of their employees as family.
Gwen enjoyed family gatherings, working in the quarter acre garden behind her home and traveling widely, especially to see her daughter and son-in-law in Texas or her grandson and great-grandchildren in Illinois. She visited all 50 states. Gwen and Vince also liked to attend reunions of the 24th Battalion of the Seabees, the Navy unit Vince served in during World War II. To support her husband, Gwen became a Honey Bee, the women’s auxiliary organization to the Seabee veterans.
She is survived by her sister Ruth Stevenson; daughters Karen (Paul) Sawicz of Buffalo, New York and Cheryl (Jeff) Chladek of San Antonio, Texas; grandson William (Andrea) Mitchell of Kankakee, Illinois and great-grandchildren Carley Mitchell and Jacob Mitchell; her brother-in-law Donald St. John; several cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, all of whom she loved dearly and who loved her in return.
The family is very grateful to several caring and dedicated caregivers who have assisted Gwen since 2011.
Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Albion, P.O. Box 151, Albion, NY 14411; Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion, NY 14411; or Arc of Orleans, Inc., 122 Caroline Street, P.O. Box 439, Albion, NY 14411.
Calling hours will be April 9, 2016 from 12-2:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Albion, located on the corner of West Park and Liberty Streets, Albion. A Memorial Service will begin (or will follow) at 3 pm. Burial will be at a later date at Mount Albion Cemetery in the Bakeman Family plot.
If you would like to share a special memory of Gwen, please visit www.christophermitchell.com.
