Gwendolyn Lemly Summey, retired registered nurse
Gwendolyn Lemly Summey, 87, passed away Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, following a prolonged illness. Born July 27, 1936, in West Jefferson, N.C., daughter of the late Ithiel Gentry Lemly and the late Callie Duncan Lemly. Gwen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor of science in nursing. She was a proud Tarheel and always cheered on her team.
Throughout her life, Gwen served her community as a registered nurse in multiple roles. She began her career as a hospital-based nurse but went on to discover her true passion in public health nursing. Gwen worked for the Fairfax County Health Department in Alexandria, Va., for 41 years and two months. Throughout her career, she was a school nurse, home health nurse, and nursing supervisor, and finished her career as a community health education liaison for Fairfax County, where she set up programs to promote better health in her community. Gwen will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who brought joy and laughter to those around her. She has always believed in helping people, especially those without the means to help themselves, and there was always a place at her table for anyone who may need a hand. Gwen would never pass by a homeless person without giving them money, going into a nearby store to get them clothing, or to a restaurant to buy a meal, and that is evidenced by her life of service as a nurse with some of the most in need patients in her community.
This generosity of spirit spilled over into her love of animals. She adopted countless pets and gave money to every animal charity that sent a request.
She found joy in finding bargains at yard sales, singing and dancing, going to the beach, and wearing shorts in the winter. She was a trendy fashionista who could shop until she dropped.
Gwen always had a focus on family. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Dow Juliano; daughter-in-law, Renee Juliano; and three grandchildren, Cole Thomas Juliano, Callie Jeanette Juliano and Caidan Daniel Juliano of Lewes; niece and nephew, Sandra Lemly Padgett and Carroll Dorn Padgett of Loris, S.C.; great-niece and -nephew, Kimberly Padgett Foster and Rev. John Thomas Foster of Tupelo, Miss.; and great-great-niece and -nephew Caroline and Anderson Foster.
In addition to her parents, Gwen was predeceased by her brother, Gale Gentry Lemly; and sister-in-law, Ruth Abke Lemly of Decatur, Ga.
A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, with a service to follow at 11 a.m.
Visit Gwen’s Life Memorial at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
