Gwendolyn Haamid

Gwendolyn Louise Haamid was born Gwendolyn Louise Matthews on March 4, 1947, to Georgia Lee Thomas and Clinton Matthews in Marshville, North Carolina. 

Gwen attended Patrick Henry Middle School and Glenville High School. Gwen spent her youth traveling between North Carolina, New York, and Ohio, working several jobs. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Gwen purchased several real estate properties across the city of Cleveland, often renting out the homes to her family. In her younger years she worked as a Teacher's Aid, but her eye for design and fashion allowed her to use her creative skills to create beautiful fashions over the years, specifically for her daughter and grandchildren who rocked custom clothing made by Gwen. 

Gwen worked for Minnesota Fabrics in Mapletown for over 20 years as a seamstress and became the first black woman to manage a Hancock Fabrics. She ran a second store in Willoughby until she retired. Retirement was a word she used to indicate she was moving to another job. Following her 1st Retirement, Gwen worked for BJ's, assisting with the Grand Opening and ultimately running the store. While working for BJ's, she would volunteer her time working with Special Needs adults and seniors, teaching arts and crafts at adult daycare centers. This volunteer position landed her a part-time position as an aide. Gwen eventually was awarded a full-time and management position after fully retiring from Bjs, at RuClare Adult Daycare Center. Gwen finally officially retired in her early 70s. 

Gwen enjoyed life and having fun. Though life could be challenging, she never let that break her spirit. Her unique hobbies included nice cars, bowling, and a good time. You can often catch Gwen riding in style in her Black Camaro, which she customized with gold sparkles. She loved that car! Gwen was an amazing bowler and spent time traveling to tournaments. When she wasn't bowling, you could catch Gwen out and about looking for an open dance floor. When the music played, no matter where she was, Gwen was cutting a rug, hand dancing, line dancing, and was always the life of the party. 

She loved to see the world. You will often find Gwen with her daughter, Marguerite, traveling around the world enjoying the beaches, cultural foods, and sightseeing. 

Owen was a devoted caretaker for many family members over the years. Following the passing of her mother, Georgia Lee, she acquired guardianship and full-time care of her Aunt Sara until the end of Sara's life. She later moved her Aunt Bernice from Las Vegas, Nevada to her home to help take care of her during her final years. You would often find Gwen running errands, cooking, and spending time with those who were unable to get around. 

Gwen joined St. Andrews Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio March 2012, under Pastor Fredrick D. Watson, Sr. Gwen had been raised in church, so she knew and had a personal relationship with Christ. It was important to her to learn and grow spiritually, so she loved and enjoyed Bible Study and Sunday School. Gwen was a devoted usher on the Usher Board and a mother on the Mother's Board, becoming the Head of the Mother's Board in 2025. She loved her church family, and she affectionately loved them, adopting the name Mother Haamid. 

Gwen always kept peppermint candies in her purse that she would share with her grandchildren and her church family. Gwen would have buckets of soft peppermints everywhere she went. The love of the soft peppermints came during her mother's illness with stomach cancer. Gwen would buy these for her mother to help soothe her nausea. Her peppermint sharing led to her great-grandchildren affectionately naming her "Peppermint" or "Mint" for short. 

Mint was the matriarch of her family. The birth of her daughter, Marguerite, grew into 8 grandchildren and more than 25 great grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents Georgia Lee Rodgers and Clinton Matthews Sr., her brothers, Joseph, Clinton, and Abdul Latif (Rupert), her aunts Darcus, Sara and Bernice, uncles Carl and Melvin, and great grandson Lamar. 

Her life and legacy continues to live in on through her daughter, Marguerite, grandchildren, Chanita (Fred), Tj (Brianna), Shawntale (Davaughn), Timmesha, Shayla, Milton (Chanel), Jessica, and Kenny (Angie), great- grandchildren, Chianne, Dewayne, Fredrick III "Ace", Kira, Zieanne, Isabel "Izzy", Zion "Boogie", Lakya, E'laya "LayLay", Ti'Mirica "TiTi", DeAndre, Dre'shawn, Reymear, Shea'Vaughn "Butter", Cha'Vaughn "Bubbles", Riyonna, Levi, Milton Jr., Markai, Carliyah, Mike, Claudia, Jalen, Kenny Jr., and Josiah, great-great grandchildren Mitrice and Mikari, and a HUGE, HUGE host of Nieces, Nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Her memory is cherished with her extended family in her bonus daughters: Desiree, Leasa, Lynette "Peaches", Shawn, Rita (preceded in death), Kristol, Vannessa, Hilda, Marcy, and Regina, and their children, her great and great grands in the Bridges Family, her friends: Debbie, Posey, Beth, Dot, Charles, Roslyn, and Velma, and her best friend and life partner Clarence.

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Phil. 1:21

A public viewing will be held on March 12, 2025, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM at the House Of Peace Funeral Home, 4105 East 71st Street, Cleveland, OH. The Celebration of Life Service will be on March 13, 2025, 9:30AM Wake and 10:00AM Service at Bethany Christian Church, 3940 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Cleveland OH. 

We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on Gwendolyn's tribute wall.