Reprinted from the Libertyville Review July 23, 2009
By DANI SCHWEIGERT dschweigert@pioneerlocal.com
When school resumes Aug. 19 at Libertyville High School, the hallways will seem a little emptier, as they will no longer be filled with the boisterous laugh of English teacher Barbara (Barb) Gwin.
Gwin, 50, of Vernon Hills worked at Libertyville for 25 years and died July 14 from complications with diabetes.
"She was so revered at the high school and such a scholarly icon in literature and writing," said Mary Price, a retired Libertyville world history and European history teacher who now teaches at College of Lake County. "When I would receive papers from students who were (Gwin's), they just had a literary flourish that she was able to cultivate."
Price said she and Gwin were friends outside of work and used to catch up during Gwin's son, Matt's, tennis matches. Matt will be a sophomore at Vernon Hills High School this coming school year. Gwin's husband is Jeffrey. Price said Gwin took courses at Northwestern in the summer to keep up and further develop her skills, and she always thought Gwin would have written a book after she retired.
"I feel not only our district has suffered a loss, but the literary world itself," Price said.
Along with being well versed in literature, Gwin also had a genuine interest in people's lives and well-being, Price said. One memory she has of Gwin is when Gwin helped bring two staff members together - the couple are now married.
'Special place'
"I know she has a special place in heaven because she was a great humanitarian," Price said.
She added that Gwin also had an amazing ability to connect with students on a personal level and help them reach their potential.
"Sometimes you have so many papers to grade, and it's tempting to skim through them, but she would stay past 5 p.m. with stacks of papers in front of her, and that's how she would cultivate students' writing skills," Price said.
One of those students was Amanda (Dayton) Nehring, who graduated from Libertyville in 2006. Nehring, 20, had Gwin as her teacher for creative writing her junior year.
"She had a really fun teaching style," Nehring said. "She was teaching creative writing to adolescents, which is a challenge because that age doesn't like to express themselves, but she made her class safe and easy to share."
Nehring said Gwin supported her through her education courses in college and helped her chose her career path. Nehring was debating between becoming a journalist or a teacher, and she now teaches a first- and second-grade bilingual class at Cotton Creek Elementary School in Island Lake.
But more than guiding Nehring through her academic studies, Gwin helped her through her personal life. The year she had Gwin as a teacher for creative writing, Nehring's mother was killed in a car accident. Her mother was a teacher as well.
"We really connected that year," Nehring said. "She was a great support and really went above and beyond being just a teacher."
Nehring stayed in touch with Gwin through the years, and Gwin attended her college graduation party in May, her bridal shower in May, and would have attended her wedding June 13, but had surgery that day.
Nehring said she will always remember Gwin's laugh and how you couldn't help but laugh yourself when you heard it.
"She'll certainly be missed," she said. "Her classroom was kind of tucked away, but everyone knew about her. She really did have a big influence on the school."
Brian Twadell, an English teacher at Libertyville, worked with Gwin for 11 years in the English Department and said he, too, will miss her laugh.
"She was just a vivacious personality," he said. "She was always warm and caring."
Marti Gorun recently retired after 36 years as an English teacher at Libertyville and was friends with Gwin for more than 25 years.
"You would never find anyone who would have anything negative to say about her," Gorun said. "She was a kind soul. She was just the funniest, most entertaining person you would meet.
"What I'll miss most about her is her wonderful laugh. She had a great sense of humor, and she was the best friend you could ask for. She has left a big hole in the hearts of those who knew her."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Barb was a colleague of mine for the last 25 years, but more importantly she was my dear friend.
I first met Barb back in 1984 when she was hired to teach the new creative writing class the department had added. She was beautiful, with short dark hair, an infectious smile and a ton of talent. She single handedly put that course on the map—starting with one or two sections and growing it to 12 sections at its heyday. She studied her craft—taking classes with the top people in the field. And she was funny. I always said to her that she was going to be the next Erma Bombeck because she could take any household or domestic situation and have everyone in stitches with her funny observations. Barb’s chief target was always herself. When she had to spend a week in the hospital being bombarded with radiation for cancer in her neck she’d say “oh you won’t have trouble finding me in the hallway when I get back, I’ll be the one glowing in the dark.” Or after this latest surgery when her scar ran from hip to hip she said “well, I guess my bikini wearing days may be over!” And always after the self deprecating remark came the hearty laugh. We all are going to miss her wonderful laugh.
Barb was also the best friend anyone could want. If something in your life wasn’t going well, she’d stop and talk, email, call you, send you great cards and at the end she always added “I’ll say a prayer for you tonight.” She was still the good Catholic girl at heart. Her cards were always heartfelt and always signed with love. What a terrific role model she was. She told us every day how much we meant to her. How many of us do that now days? Barb showed us all the true meaning of friendship. What a great legacy she left.
To those who didn’t know her well, she seemed to have everything—a loving husband, a brilliant, handsome and mature son, and a brother who she adored. But Barb endured terrible sadness too. The diagnosis of her diabetes late in her life, the illness and deaths of her parents, her cancer, her foot surgery that never seemed to heal, unkindness at work, and finally the hernia—though all of these things she did her best to keep working, to be a good wife and mother and a wonderful and caring teacher to her students. It was difficult for her, people didn’t give her enough credit for her simple endurance. When I heard that her heart had given way in the end, I thought it’s because Barb gave her heart away to all of us, each and every day—to her family, her friends and her students. In the end, she didn’t have enough of it left for herself. She was like that, always giving, always caring for others, never worrying enough about herself.
Barb had so much to be proud of—she was a wonderful writer. I was lucky enough to read some of her short stories and I can tell you, she was the real deal. Just days before her death, I had almost convinced her to submit some of them to the Tribune’s short story contest. We talked about forming a writer’s group. She told me about a wonderful book she’d just finished by one of her former professors. She was full of plans, full of hope. To her students, she was a “mom”—always there to listen , to give unselfishly of her time, to help someone who was struggling. And she loved great literature—Dickenson, Whitman, Wilder, you name it—Barb could quote you chapter and verse. I know she was a wonderful teacher because she taught both of my children. They both loved Barb and were distraught when they heard of her passing. She was a caring presence in the lives of hundreds of her students. But Barb would have told you that her finest “piece of poetry” was her son, Matt. No child was wanted more, and loved more. Quiet little Barb could become a ferocious mother bear when anything threatened her beloved Mattie. She need not have worried, Matt’s a great kid. All the rest of us were lucky that we all got to share in his growing up whenever we went in Barb’s room. Everywhere you looked, there were his photographs and drawings. He’s all grown up now, and what a fine young man he’s become—smart, handsome, mature, a real “babe magnet” . Barb was so proud of him when I saw her after she had returned home. She showed me his straight “A report card with all the wonderful comments and said “allow me to be the proud momma”. And she was. I know if we were to have had the time to ask Barb one last time “What can we do you you?” She would have said “Take care of my Matthew.” I hope all of us will become surrogate aunts and watch over him.
Barb, you were loved, you were respected and you will be terribly missed. Your life was lived well, with love, with compassion , with kindness and passion. Your life was too short. But you will live on in your family, in your friends and in the lives of your students, and in that you will be immortal in our hearts.
Rest in soft peace, my gentle friend.
I first met Barb back in 1984 when she was hired to teach the new creative writing class the department had added. She was beautiful, with short dark hair, an infectious smile and a ton of talent. She single handedly put that course on the map—starting with one or two sections and growing it to 12 sections at its heyday. She studied her craft—taking classes with the top people in the field. And she was funny. I always said to her that she was going to be the next Erma Bombeck because she could take any household or domestic situation and have everyone in stitches with her funny observations. Barb’s chief target was always herself. When she had to spend a week in the hospital being bombarded with radiation for cancer in her neck she’d say “oh you won’t have trouble finding me in the hallway when I get back, I’ll be the one glowing in the dark.” Or after this latest surgery when her scar ran from hip to hip she said “well, I guess my bikini wearing days may be over!” And always after the self deprecating remark came the hearty laugh. We all are going to miss her wonderful laugh.
Barb was also the best friend anyone could want. If something in your life wasn’t going well, she’d stop and talk, email, call you, send you great cards and at the end she always added “I’ll say a prayer for you tonight.” She was still the good Catholic girl at heart. Her cards were always heartfelt and always signed with love. What a terrific role model she was. She told us every day how much we meant to her. How many of us do that now days? Barb showed us all the true meaning of friendship. What a great legacy she left.
To those who didn’t know her well, she seemed to have everything—a loving husband, a brilliant, handsome and mature son, and a brother who she adored. But Barb endured terrible sadness too. The diagnosis of her diabetes late in her life, the illness and deaths of her parents, her cancer, her foot surgery that never seemed to heal, unkindness at work, and finally the hernia—though all of these things she did her best to keep working, to be a good wife and mother and a wonderful and caring teacher to her students. It was difficult for her, people didn’t give her enough credit for her simple endurance. When I heard that her heart had given way in the end, I thought it’s because Barb gave her heart away to all of us, each and every day—to her family, her friends and her students. In the end, she didn’t have enough of it left for herself. She was like that, always giving, always caring for others, never worrying enough about herself.
Barb had so much to be proud of—she was a wonderful writer. I was lucky enough to read some of her short stories and I can tell you, she was the real deal. Just days before her death, I had almost convinced her to submit some of them to the Tribune’s short story contest. We talked about forming a writer’s group. She told me about a wonderful book she’d just finished by one of her former professors. She was full of plans, full of hope. To her students, she was a “mom”—always there to listen , to give unselfishly of her time, to help someone who was struggling. And she loved great literature—Dickenson, Whitman, Wilder, you name it—Barb could quote you chapter and verse. I know she was a wonderful teacher because she taught both of my children. They both loved Barb and were distraught when they heard of her passing. She was a caring presence in the lives of hundreds of her students. But Barb would have told you that her finest “piece of poetry” was her son, Matt. No child was wanted more, and loved more. Quiet little Barb could become a ferocious mother bear when anything threatened her beloved Mattie. She need not have worried, Matt’s a great kid. All the rest of us were lucky that we all got to share in his growing up whenever we went in Barb’s room. Everywhere you looked, there were his photographs and drawings. He’s all grown up now, and what a fine young man he’s become—smart, handsome, mature, a real “babe magnet” . Barb was so proud of him when I saw her after she had returned home. She showed me his straight “A report card with all the wonderful comments and said “allow me to be the proud momma”. And she was. I know if we were to have had the time to ask Barb one last time “What can we do you you?” She would have said “Take care of my Matthew.” I hope all of us will become surrogate aunts and watch over him.
Barb, you were loved, you were respected and you will be terribly missed. Your life was lived well, with love, with compassion , with kindness and passion. Your life was too short. But you will live on in your family, in your friends and in the lives of your students, and in that you will be immortal in our hearts.
Rest in soft peace, my gentle friend.
Marti G.
Libertyville teacher remembered for wit
By Phil Collins Daily Herald Staff
7/17/2009
A loud, "boisterous" laugh echoes in the memories of friends and family of Barb Gwin, an English teacher at Libertyville High School.
Gwin, 50, passed away Tuesday due to complications from diabetes.
Caitlin Bees, who was in Gwin's literature class four years ago, described her laugh as infectious. Gwin's co-workers and former students consistently pointed to her laugh and wit as defining characteristics.
"She was a very loving teacher and incredibly funny," said Amanda Dayton-Nehring, a former student of Gwin's. "She had this laugh that was kind of explosive. Even if what she said wasn't funny, when she started to laugh, everyone else laughed."
Gwin had worked in Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 since 1984. While she taught at Libertyville High School, her son Matthew attends Vernon Hills High School, in the same district.
After 25 years of teaching, she still loved her job and formed connections with her students.
"The classes that she taught each year were better than the last," her husband, Jeffrey Gwin, said. "She really enjoyed teaching, she really enjoyed bringing out the creativity (in her students.)"
Mary Price, who taught social studies at Libertyville High School, remembers Gwin's dedication to her students and her ability to bring out that creativity in them.
"I knew how to teach them to write for social studies and I thought that the literary part of it you either had it or you didn't," Price said. "A lot of her students had it and I know she cultivated that."
The bonds she built with students would sometimes stretch beyond the classroom. Dayton-Nehring said her mother was killed in a car accident the year she took Barb Gwin's creative writing class, and she would always check in to make sure everything was all right.
"Now I am a teacher in Island Lake and I hope to be half the teacher she was," Dayton-Nehring said.
A wake will be held for Barb Gwin on Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Matz Funeral Home, 410 E. Rand Road in Mount Prospect. The funeral is set for Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Pascal Church, 6143 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago. Burial follows at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
7/17/2009
A loud, "boisterous" laugh echoes in the memories of friends and family of Barb Gwin, an English teacher at Libertyville High School.
Gwin, 50, passed away Tuesday due to complications from diabetes.
Caitlin Bees, who was in Gwin's literature class four years ago, described her laugh as infectious. Gwin's co-workers and former students consistently pointed to her laugh and wit as defining characteristics.
"She was a very loving teacher and incredibly funny," said Amanda Dayton-Nehring, a former student of Gwin's. "She had this laugh that was kind of explosive. Even if what she said wasn't funny, when she started to laugh, everyone else laughed."
Gwin had worked in Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 since 1984. While she taught at Libertyville High School, her son Matthew attends Vernon Hills High School, in the same district.
After 25 years of teaching, she still loved her job and formed connections with her students.
"The classes that she taught each year were better than the last," her husband, Jeffrey Gwin, said. "She really enjoyed teaching, she really enjoyed bringing out the creativity (in her students.)"
Mary Price, who taught social studies at Libertyville High School, remembers Gwin's dedication to her students and her ability to bring out that creativity in them.
"I knew how to teach them to write for social studies and I thought that the literary part of it you either had it or you didn't," Price said. "A lot of her students had it and I know she cultivated that."
The bonds she built with students would sometimes stretch beyond the classroom. Dayton-Nehring said her mother was killed in a car accident the year she took Barb Gwin's creative writing class, and she would always check in to make sure everything was all right.
"Now I am a teacher in Island Lake and I hope to be half the teacher she was," Dayton-Nehring said.
A wake will be held for Barb Gwin on Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Matz Funeral Home, 410 E. Rand Road in Mount Prospect. The funeral is set for Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Pascal Church, 6143 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago. Burial follows at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
In Memory of Barb Gwin
We lost a true friend July 14, 2009. A gentle soul with a heart of gold and a sense of humor that never failed, Barb left us much too soon and suddenly. A truly creative writer, she'd be editing out my cliches if she were here, but I am too heartbroken to find the right words to express the depth of our loss. She cared about all of us so much, and she took the time to let us know it. I hope, somehow, she knew how much we cared about her, too. The loss to her beloved Matt and Jeff, her students and their parents to whom she generously gave her time, talents and patience, and the faculty of Libertyville High School is immeasurable. I pray each of us finds a way to keep her beautiful spirit alive in the world.-- Sue
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