Gwendolyn Joy Wylie, 83, of Belvidere, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on June 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Gwendolyn was born on November 14, 1942, in Kingston, Illinois, to George Ekman and Thelma Bates Ekman. She grew up with a deep appreciation for family, creativity, and hard work, qualities that would define her throughout her life.

On a beautiful day in 1960, she married the love of her life, Robert Wylie. Together they built a life centered on love, family, and caring for others. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jennifer and Weslie, and countless cherished memories.

Gwendolyn worked as a telephone operator and was a highly skilled bobbin lace maker for more than forty years. She was an active member of her lace club and generously shared her knowledge by teaching lace-making classes to others. A gifted artist and homemaker, Gwendolyn found joy in creating beautiful things with her hands. Whether sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafting, or baking one of her famous homemade pies with a perfectly flaky crust, she brought warmth and love into everything she made. She also took great pride in the genealogy research she did for her family, even traveling to Sweden to further explore where they came from, as well as learning lace bobbin techniques while there.

Known for her kindness, grace, and gentle spirit, Gwendolyn was always willing to help others. She took great pride in caring for her family and devoted herself wholeheartedly to assisting in raising and nurturing her three grandchildren; Torie, Annie and Nick. Her love, guidance, and unwavering support left an immeasurable impact on their lives and will continue to be felt for generations.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Jennifer (Thomas) Gummerus; her son, Weslie Wylie; her sister, Gloria Ekman; her grandchildren, Victoria Calabrese, Annika Gummerus, and Nicholas Meives-Wylie; her sister in law, Debra Wylie, her lifelong friend, Marilyn Jensen; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Wylie; her parents, George Ekman and Thelma Bates Ekman; and her brothers, George Kenneth, Gilbert, and Gerald.

A visitation for Gwendolyn will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral & Cremation Services, 218 West Hurlbut Avenue, Belvidere, Illinois. A funeral service celebrating her life will follow at 3:00 p.m.

Gwendolyn's legacy of love, creativity, generosity, and devotion to family will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.