Gwen D. (McKee) Fones, 88, Indianapolis, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Rosegate Village in Indianapolis. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on May 11, 1934, to Leonard and Hester (Burchard) McKee.
Gwen was a 1951 graduate of Marion High School. She was an amazing and accomplished person in both her personal and professional life. Serving as the first female Chief Financial Officer for the Stone Container Corporation at their headquarters in Chicago, she set an example of how you can be both kind, gracious, and a loving woman, as well as a strong, smart, and driven career woman, holding her own in a male-dominated corporate world. She helped pave the way for other women to take their seat at “the table”. She worked at Stone Container Corporation for 13 years. Prior to that, she worked at St. Regis Paper for 20 years, where she was the first woman controller.
Gwen loved her boxer dogs, horses and horseback riding, golfing, reading, NY Times crossword puzzles, and gardening. She loved to keep busy. Gwen loved life, nature, being outside, and, most of all, her family. She was supportive of her grandchildren and never missed an event. She was also a mentor and inspiration to many people, including her family, and she will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her daughters, Michelle Fall and Dawn Teofrio; grandchildren, Jon Hester, Jason Hester, Corinne Mills (Kody Kant), and Catrina (Nolan) Pray; eight great-grandchildren; and best friends, Joy Shane and Gladys Burns.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law, Martin Fall.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral and Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Gwen’s life will begin at 1:00 pm. A private burial will take place.
Memorial contributions may be directed to College Wesleyan Church, 200 E. 38th St., Marion, IN 46953.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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