Former Bainbridge resident Gwendolyn “Gwen” Elsie Carter, age 69, died Jan. 3 at her home in Long Beach.

She was born Aug. 14, 1932 in Vesta, to Hilton and Viola (Bailey) Arnold.

She attended school in Brooklyn, Wash., completing first grade through high school in the same building. She lettered four times in basketball and never missed a day of school.

On Aug. 14, 1950, she married James L. Carter. The couple made their first home in Betteravia, Calif.

After relocating to Seattle, where they lived for a decade, they spent 11 years on Bainbridge.

The couple moved to Long Beach, Wash., where Gwen spent 20 years working for Dennis Company before retiring in 1995.

She enjoyed working in her garden, sewing, exercising and travelling. She was a 50-year member of the Grange and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband James of Long Beach, Wash.; daughter Molly Jacques and husband Richard of Fair Oaks, Calif.; son James and wife Melissa Carter of Tenino, Wash.; two brothers, Wayne and Gilbert; two sisters, Jean McLane and Eunice Fowler; and grandchildren Jacob and Ashley.

A celebration of her life was held Jan. 13 in Long Beach, Wash.

Remembrances can be made to the American Heart Association in care of Penttila’s Chapel, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631.