Gwendolyn Isabella Tenore

Gwendolyn Isabella Tenore December 27, 1927 - January 2, 2017 Gwendolyn I. Tenore, age 89, passed from this life peacefully in her sleep, in her St. Augustine home on January 2, 2017. She was born on December 27, 1927 and grew up in New Orleans, LA. She was the daughter of Nigette and Jose Pastor. She was educated in the Urslein Academy Convent in New Orleans through her elementary and high school years. After high school graduation, she moved to New York City with her beloved grandmother (Mrs Lelia Trolle). She continued her education studying dance with the New York Ballet and Modern Dance with the renowned Martha Graham. She loved dance, and loved all styles of music, especially Broadway, Jazz, and Dixieland. Later in life she studied and played the piano. Gwendolyn was a part time fashion model in New York City, and also worked at the hotel New Weston as a reservation teletype clerk in 1949 where she met the love of her life and future husband, Colonel Jacob (Jack) A. Tenore. He was the assistant manager and upon first meeting Gwendolyn, he had contemplated firing her because she was “extraordinarily beautiful and distracting”. As fate would have it he married her September 28, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. They were happily married in love and companionship for 66 years. Colonel Jack Tenore is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. He was a handsome, young, businessman and musician when they met. After their wedding, he decided to enlist in the Army to further his education and secure his future with Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn thrived as a wife of an Army officer because she loved relocating, organizing and creating a home. They moved 22 times through their married years. Gwendolyn was active in organizations associated with her husband’s profession. She was a mentor to many young officer’s wives. Mrs. Tenore volunteered in her children’s schools, and also volunteered at Army hospitals and the Red Cross wherever they were stationed. When her husband was stationed in Hawaii, she studied sailing, and learned to solo sail in the oceans that she loved. Gwendolyn was devoted to her husband and family first and together with her husband they raised three children; Jack, Gina and Carolyn. She was a talented artist, who studied drawing and oil painting. It seemed only natural that she became an excellent seamstress who made clothes for her entire family throughout the years. In addition, Gwendolyn loved cooking, perfecting recipes she learned from her French New Orleans relatives and her husband’s Italian relatives. Gwendolyn had a deep appreciation for nature and respected its power as she survived an earthquake in New York City and a major tornado in Oklahoma. She loved all animals, especially dogs. Gwendolyn was a strong, independent woman that had a love for fashion, and was a sharp dresser. She possessed a quick wit and good sense of humor, and was the life of the party and really fun to be around. She was full of energy and always ready for the next adventure. Loving and spirited, Gwendolyn always strived to take care of everybody else before her. She was devoted to the Sacred Heart, and a loyal catholic, who was a member of the Corpus Christi Church in St. Augustine. She is survived by her beloved husband, Colonel Jack Tenore; son, Jack, Jr.; 2 daughters, Gina and Carolyn; and half sister, Ann Morey. The Tenore family extends their thanks to Mary Bennett, her long time caretaker and friend, and the compassionate staff of Hospice Community. A private family memorial service was held January 3, 2017. We thank Father Mooney for his prayers, and the St. Johns Family Funeral Home for their service. The family request that no flowers or other remembrances be sent. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida https://support.communityhospice.com/donate