Gwendolyn E Newton

April 17, 1938 - July 16, 2021

Gwendolyn E. Newton, 83, of New Haven, Connecticut passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 16, 2021. She was a loving sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother who served as a listening ear and an amazing story teller to all she came across. In 1958, Gwen and her husband relocated from North Carolina to New Haven, Connecticut. After settling in with family in the Hill neighborhood, Gwen decided to move to Brookside as her three children Ronald, Katrina and Reginald began to grow. She naturally loved the close knit neighborhood that she became a part of and made sure she knew everyone and everyone knew her. She then moved to the Newhallville neighborhood after becoming employed at a private doctor’s office on Dixwell Avenue and Grace New Haven Hospital, currently known as Yale New Haven Hospital. That bittersweet change sent her to Newhallville which molded her into the great politician and activist she would be known for most of her life. Eventually Gwen worked for the New Haven Board of Education at the Martin Luther King, Jr. School where she had the opportunity to listen and hear all the issues that were plaguing her community. Gwen wanted to be proactive and got involved by working on various campaigns including the campaign to elect Joseph Lieberman as US Senator for the State of Connecticut. After a decade in New Haven her political savviness caused the elite to encourage her to run for office herself. In 1969, Gwen and six others ran on a ticket alongside Henry Parker. Unfortunately, Hank Parker didn’t win but Gwen and the six others would win their races and be dubbed “The Magnificent Seven”. After winning, Gwen would be the only black female on the Board of Aldermen. Later in her political career, Gwen would serve as Chair for the Commission of Equal Opportunity (CEO). Ultimately, her political accolades earned her entry into the Archives of Historical events in the City of New Haven. Staying home was not meant for Gwen. After retiring from the Southern New England Telephone Company (AT&T), she stayed home only a few months. Gwen began a new venture in her life by working part-time at the New Haven Adult and Continuing Education Center where everyone knew her as Mama Gwen. Her love for the students overflowed from all the love she had for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gwen was a devoted and faithful member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for over 60 years joining under the pastorate of the late Reverend Charles Carlos Blake. She was also an active life member of the Knickerbocker Golf Club. Mama will forever be in the hearts of her daughter, Reverend Katrina Jones; grandson, Edgar (Nakisha) Jones; granddaughters, Jennifer and Kirvanna Jones; and great-grandson, Grey Sharpe; her son, Reginald Jones, Sr.; grandson, Reginald Jones Jr.; great-grandson, Reginald Jones III; and great granddaughters, Reginae, Amare, and Olivia; her daughter-in-love, Sheridan “Sue” Carpenter-Jones; grandsons, Ronald Singleton, Curtis and Nathaniel Jones; great grandsons, Ronald “Cream” Singleton, Curon, Kamron and Karson Jones, and great granddaughter, Hillary Hill; Sister, Mary “Elanore” Jackson; Brother and Sister-in-love, Paul (Katie) Rigsby. Gwen also leaves to cherish her memories a host of relatives and friends who loved her dearly. Gwen is predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Lucille Stephens; daughter, Patricia Ann Jones; son, Ronald N. Jones; grandson, Ronald K. Jones. Three brothers and one sister.