Mrs. Gwen (Kellems) (Kabobel) McCarthy Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

McCarthy, Mrs. Gwen (Kellams) (Kabobel), of Salado, Texas, formerly of Saginaw. Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2011, in Cedar Park, TX., at the home of her granddaughter, Lisa (Scott) Sherrillo. Gwen was born on August 9, 1926, to the late Arthur and Louise (McIver) Morden on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. She was moved to Saginaw, MI when she was a young girl. She was married to Arnold T. Kellams, on February 12, 1982. He predeceased her on February 25, 1992. She was then married to Thomas J. McCarthy on May 5, 1995. He predeceased her on May 9, 2011. Gwen started her working career as a non-ferrous chemist at the Saginaw Bearing Co.; she worked at Russell Electric Co.; was Manager of Manpower of Tri City; Executive Director of Saginaw Convention and Visitors Bureau; served as Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Michigan Assoc. of Convention and Visitors Bureau, where under her guidance the state council became the Michigan Travel Commission; she was appointed by Gov. Milliken as the first female chair of the Michigan Travel Commission and served as Vice Chair and head of its budget committee; served as Vice President of the East Michigan Tourist Assoc.; President of Wanigas Chapter of America Business Woman’s Assoc.; was awarded the 1970 Woman of the Year; Director of Altrusa; a member of the National Assoc. for Female Executives; National Tour Brokers Assoc.; and Secretary and Treasurer of the Tri-City Highway Users Federation. She also served on the advisory committee of Junior League, Saginaw Board of Education, MCA, and the Saginaw Intermediate School District. She loved spending time at her cottage on Higgins Lake. When she moved to Texas, she returned each summer to stay at the cottage and spend time with family and friends. She will truly be missed by all who loved her. She is survived by her daughter, son and their spouses, Fay (Paul) Sudhoff, Saginaw; Edward (Kathy) Kabobel, Jr., Temple, TX.; grandchildren Jennifer (David) Smith, Edmond, OK.; Darrell Brownlee, Jacksonville, Fl.; Brett Brownlee, Dallas, TX.; Lisa (Scott) Sherrillo, Cedar Park, TX.; Paul (Lisa) Sudhoff, Peter Sudhoff, Patrick Sudhoff, all of Saginaw; Meagan Kabobel and Patti Kabobel, Temple, TX. Gwen was known as G.G. to the great-grandchildren, Brandi, Halie and Shaun Sudhoff, all of Saginaw; Ashley, Max, Ania, and Cailin Sherrillo, Cedar Park, TX.; Emily Sudhoff, Saginaw; Alex and Kristin Jablonski, Edmond, OK.; one brother, Arthur (Sherl) Morden, of FL.; four sisters, Bess Hervey of NY; Ruth Mastos, Saginaw; Patricia Pelton of CO.; and Kathy Morden of LA; many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Marlene Tornberg, sisters, Fay Morden and Carol Kolhagen, brothers, John, Edward and James Morden. Services took place December 27, 2011, in Temple, Texas. Those wishing to express their sympathies may consider a memorial to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 2110 Brockway St., Saginaw, MI 48602 or a favorite charity. Memories and sympathies of Gwen may be shared with the family on her Obituary page at www.WakemanFuneralHome.com

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Mrs. Gwen (Kellems) (Kabobel) McCarthy

August 9, 1926 - December 21, 2011