Gwendolyn A. Bailey

Gwendolyn Ann Bailey, age 67, passed away with her family by her side on December 23, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer.  

Gwen, the eldest of three children, was born and raised in upstate New York to parents Barbara Dodge and John McGarry.  

Married to the love of her life, Raymond Bailey, for nearly 45 years, the two met in college when Ray rappelled into Gwen’s dorm room at the Colorado School of Mines, where they both studied engineering. Gwen eventually decided to pursue her passions of education and literature, left the engineering field behind, and went on to get a master’s degree in English from the University of Maryland. 

Gwen and Ray went on many adventures and traveled the world together during Ray’s time as an officer in the U.S. Army. Some of Gwen’s most cherished memories were from the time she and Ray spent in Germany, Greece, and traveling through Europe. And the adventures continued when they welcomed their daughters, Laura Bailey Brown and Maureen Bailey, into the mix.  

After moving nine times in eleven years, Gwen said she was done with the adventures that accompanied military life, and so that was that. Ray retired from the military, and the family settled in St. Charles, Missouri, which has been home to them for the last 30 years.  

Gwen worked as an English professor for four decades before she retired in 2021 to help her eldest granddaughter with virtual first grade during the pandemic. This came as no surprise to her family because without a doubt, Gwen’s most favorite people and her pride and joy were her grandkids: Claire, Carter, Kate, and Everett. Gwen loved them beyond measure. She never missed a dance recital, loved hearing about soccer and baseball games, and was always there for them when they needed someone to talk to or lean on. She was constantly thinking of fun ways to keep her “precious” grandkids entertained, including Grandma Gwen’s famous “M&M Challenge.”  

Gwen was the most creative person. She was the maker of homemade Halloween costumes, Christmas ornaments, crocheted blankets, scrapbooks, and endless craft projects with her kids and grandkids. She loved to sing, was a member of the church choir for many years, and even broke into song several times (along with Ray) in her final days spent in hospice. An avid reader and lifelong educator, Gwen also was passionate about British literature, politics, and educating (or debating with) people about both.

A native New Yorker, Gwen never did quite master the “Midwest nice” thing, nor did she want to. She was strong-willed and opinionated, and those who knew her best loved her all the more for it. Even in the end, she did not hesitate to let her health care team know what was on her mind – often making them laugh with some of the more direct thoughts she shared with them.

Christmas was Gwen’s absolute favorite holiday. She always made it so special for everyone in her life – going above and beyond to find the perfect presents, making her traditional Polish Christmas dinner, being the best hostess, and never complaining about being dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn to open gifts. Although losing her right before her favorite day of the year was not easy, the family takes great comfort in knowing that Gwen’s mom Bobbie, who passed away only three weeks ago, was there to welcome her home and celebrate Christmas with her in Heaven this year.

Gwen is survived by her husband, Ray; her children Laura (Jason) Brown and Maureen (Roger Emmelhainz) Bailey; her beloved grandchildren, Claire, Carter, Kate, and Everett; her brother Michael McGarry; and her geriatric German Shepherd, Elmo. She was preceded in death by her mother, Barabara “Bobbie” Dodge; stepfather James “Jim” Dodge; father John “Jack” McGarry; and sister, Shawn McGarry.  

A visitation will be held at Amos Funeral Home in Shawnee, Kansas, on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, starting at 10:30 am, with a service following at 12:30 p.m., and burial immediately thereafter at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. 

Gwen dreamed of moving to the Kansas City area to be closer to her family, which she was able to do in her final days at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Although her time there was too brief, it was filled with the people she cared about most. Should you feel moved to make a contribution in Gwen’s memory, St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City is very deserving. You can do that online by clicking here.