Gwendolyn Mae (nee Starver) Rivers, 78, passed away June 3, 2017, at Hospice of Medina County. She was born in WaKeeney, Kan. May 21, 1939. Her family moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., and she graduated in 1957 from Shenley High School. In 1960, Gwen graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing as an RN and, in 1988, she received her BSN from The University of Akron.
She worked in local hospitals, nursing homes and did private duty care and retired after 32 years from Barberton City School District as a school nurse. She was a member of First Christian Church of Wadsworth. Her civic duties included: Wadsworth High School Band Booster, Wadsworth City Councilwoman for nine years, and she was a founding member of the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund, and a founding Board Member of the Scholarship Foundation of Wadsworth, serving over 30 years.
Gwen was a missionary to the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention in Liberia, West Africa, which began her love of travel. She ventured to over eight foreign countries and all 50 states.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather and mother, William and Alice Starver, and brother, Donald Starver.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, James Rivers, Jr.; children, Socrates (Susan) Rivers of Gurnee, Ill., J ohn (Gavin Morrow) Rivers of New York, N.Y.; grandchildren, Jasmine (Lee) Rivers; great-granddaughter, Kailani Rivers; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Akron General Medical Center: 4th Floor, and the staff at Hospice of Medina County for their love and care.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2017 at Cox-McNulty Funeral Home, 1376 High St., Wadsworth, Ohio. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 10, 2017, at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church of Wadsworth, 116 Boyer St., with Reverend Cynthia Klingemier and Karen Rule officiating. Family will also receive friends one hour prior to service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to the Scholarship Foundation of Wadsworth, P.O. Box 441, Wadsworth, Ohio 44282, or First Christian Church of Wadsworth, 116 Boyer St., Wadsworth, Ohio 44281.