Gwendolyn Ione Redfern

December 2, 1923 - June 8, 2014

Our Mom went to rest in Jesus June 8, 2014. She was born in Battle Creek, Mich. on December 2, 1923 to James and Gladys (Bartholomew) Thomas, the 3rd of 5 children. As a young girl, Gwen had fond memories of living near Harvey Kellogg's Home of Kellogg's Cereal Co. She got to swim in the Kellogg's pool as well as take homemaking classes on such things as the proper way to make a bed. Gwen was a championship swimmer, winning a spot to go to the Olympics in 1936, but, due to the times, her father decided it best that she not go. Gwen moved with her family to California in 1941, settling in the Napa/Vallejo area. When she was 25 she met and married Francis Redfern. They bought their family home in Napa in 1952 and lived there their entire married life. Gwen was able to be a stay-at-home Mom, raising their 3 children. Gwen loved going to garage sales where she searched for treasures for the entire family. She really missed this the last few years. Gwen is survived by her 3 children, Donald (Dorene) Redfern, Rick Redfern, and Cheryl Redfern, grandchildren Amy Chambers, Rich and Philip Redfern and 3 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters, Doreen Allred and Myrna Del Fiorentino and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, sister Eulaine Tercovich, brother James Thomas and dear daughter-in-law Peggy. We love you Mom and will miss you terribly. We would like to thank the staff at the Meadows Care Center for all their loving care of our mother. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11 at St. Helena Cemetery, 2461 Spring St., St. Helena. Please consider contributions in her memory to the American Cancer Society.