Gwendolyn Kay Marchese, 69, of Fayetteville, AR, passed away Friday, September 13, 2024 at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. She was born in 1955 in Topeka, KS, the daughter of George E. and Ruby Tyson Baldwin.

Gwen attended Highland Park High School, earned her GED, completed some college and excelled in a predominately male occupation by obtaining multiple certifications as an Auto Body Estimator. As a young person, she loved running, camping, walking the Holton square and spending time with friends and family. As an adult, Gwen worked in many different industries to provide for her family. She was an extremely hard worker, even though mornings could be a challenge for her at times. Gwen had a fierce mission to help children. She was a daycare owner, Foster Mom to over 150 children, and Girl Scout Leader whose volunteer work spanned over 45 years. She was always wanting to get out and do something whether it was to go to a festival, out to dinner, go dancing at a local country western hot-spot, explore a park, take a camping trip, plan to teach little children their A-B-C's, volunteer with a nonprofit or just make improvements around her home and garden. Gwen had boundless energy! Her heart went out to everyone, and she found joy in all of the little things of life.

Gwen married Oren "Butch" Bame III in the early 1970s. Two children were born from this union: Jennifer Bame and Oren "Butch" Bame IV. Gwen and "Big Butch" later divorced. She remained very grateful for the time they spent together.  Later, Gwen fell deeply in love with Steven Marchese and they were married in 1994.  Gwen and Steve had a lovely homestead in Cupertino, CA for many years. She loved the home they made together. Gwen enjoyed the times they spent with friends and family in addition to updating and caring for their Cupertino home. In the early 2000s, Gwen and Steve moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they lovingly tended to their home and garden for over 20 years. She was deeply enchanted by the countryside of Fayetteville, Arkansas and often said how grateful she was to be able to live in such a beautiful, heavenly place. This is where Gwen became a Foster Mom and continued her work as a Girl Scout Leader. Gwen and Steve fell in love with and adopted their two children: Brooklyn and Max Marchese.

Gwen's survivors include her husband, companion and love, Steve Marchese; 5 children: Jennifer Bame (Carol) of Suffern, NY, Oren Bame IV of Bend, OR, Brooklyn Marchese and Max Marchese of Fayetteville, AR and step-son, Michael Marchese of Colbert, WA; twin nieces (that she helped raise): Leona and Anastasia Caskey; sister, Sharon L. Philips (Tom) of Scranton, KS; 2 brothers, Lloyd "Bruce" Baldwin (Lisa) of Carbondale, KS and Gregory "Vance" Baldwin of Campbell, CA and many other nieces and nephews; God-son, Tommy Ponzio and God-Daughters, Maria and Crystal Diaz.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers, Robert E. and David W. Baldwin.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2024 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow at the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. before service time. As Gwendolyn had an immense love for sunflowers, guests are welcome to include sunflower themes in their apparel. Memorials may be given to the Mercer Funeral Home to help with expenses c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.