Gwendolyn (Gwen) S Tupper, 94 of South Portland, Maine peacefully passed away on October 12, 2024. Gwen was the daughter of Harold and Ellen (MacDonald) Small, born on April 30, 1930 in East Machias at 8am as the Washington Academy bell rang. She attended Washington Academy (East Machias) graduating in 1947 as Salutatorian before attending University of Maine Orono where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. Her degree was awarded in 1951 in Home Economics. She taught at Machias High School for 1 year before adventuring with her husband for his job in the US Coast & Geodetic Survey that took them to several Navy bases in the US. She was a substitute teacher in the South Portland Schools for a period of time and also in 1977 Gwen graduated from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute with her degree as an LPN. She went on to work 5 years at Maine Medical Center as an LPN in the Newborn Nursery. Gwen volunteered at Center for Grieving Children, Catherine Morrill Day Nursery and while wintering in FL during retirement she volunteered at an organization to care for the babies of teenage mothers pursuing their GED. She was a former member of the First Congregational Church of South Portland where she taught Sunday School and later served as Deacon. Gwen enjoyed her daily 3-mile walks across the Casco Bay Bridge and enthusiastically watched UCONN ladies' basketball. Gwen loved her family and her faith with the greatest joy being mum and Mimi.

She is predeceased by her husband Clifford Tupper, her parents, her sister Betty Cunningham, her granddaughter Kelli, son-in-laws Paul and Michael. Surviving are 2 sons and 6 daughters: Brent (Cheryl), Sue-Ellen (Paul), Betty Ree, Julie (Steve), Katie (Warren), Melissa, Brian (Laurie), and Amy; 9 grandchildren Josh, Vinnie (Maddy), Patrick, Cory, Brianna (Collin), Brent Michael, Tim, Samantha (Joe), and Steven (Linda); 3 great grandchildren (and a fourth to arrive in November): Miles, Reya and Ellie; several nieces,nephews and cousins.

There will be no visiting hours. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 19th followed by a reception from 12pm-1pm at Hobbs Funeral Home 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. Private burial will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either a children's charity of choice or one of the following which were near and dear to her heart:

Center for Grieving Children 555 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101

Catherine Morrill Day Nursery 96 Danforth Street Portland, ME 04101

The family wishes to thank all who have cared for her in the past especially Ann-Marie Carter, RN Administrator, Gentiva Hospice 53 Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME 04101