Gwendolyn Delight Fincher Shelley of St. Louis passed away Saturday morning May 16, 2026 with her husband John by her side.
Gwen was the baby of 12 children. She was preceded in death by her mother Mamie Fincher, six brothers (Ralph, Ray, Roy, Bobby, William, and Jack) and two sisters (Shirley and Pat).
She is survived by brothers Jerry (Fay), Wayne (Carol) Fincher and one sister Aline (Mike) Stawizynski. She is also preceded in death by sister-in-law Linda Shelley and brother-in-law Dennis Shelley. She is survived by brothers-in-law Robert and Thomas Shelley. Brothers-in-law Larry, David, Matt, Mitchell and Chris (Benoist). Sisters-in-law Donna Shelley and Mendy (Benoist). Surviving mother-in-law Marilyn Shelley. Survived also by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and many, many lifelong friends.
Gwen was known and loved by many.
Memorial visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Sunday, June 7 from 1-4 pm. with a Memorial Service at 4:00 pm. Interment will be held in private. In lieu of flowers donations to American Cancer Society Donate Today | The American Cancer Society
Fair well my friend. đ Iâm glad you are at peace now. I will always remember your good heart, smile and bossy momma syndrome đ but most of all Iâll just miss you! â€ïž
Gwen you will be missed I loved your laugh. God’s Speed.Rip.
Gwen I wanted to call you today but I couldn’t. I looked up at the sky and asked how you were doing. I hope you are well and feel no pain. I am sorry you had to suffer these last few years. It has always been a honor to call you my friend. We both knew if needed we would be there. You are truly a legend and one I could never surpass. Rest in peace, happiness and glory.
Gwen, I wanted to ca ll you today but I couldn’t. I looked up at the sky and asked how you were doing. I am sorry you had to suffer for the past few years. I am glad that the pain has finally stopped and you suffer no longer. We always knew if we needed one another that we would be there. You are truly a legend and one I could never surpass. Rest in peace, happiness and glory my friend. I am honored to have had the pleasure of knowing you for 50 years.
Iâm so sorry to hear of your passing. I work with John and he always spoke so highly of you. May you rest in peace. Much love and prayers.
My deepest condolences to all family and friends, I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Gwen ,
Iâm sorry I didnât get to see you before u left .you really meant a lot to me u took to me when no one else did becscauss I was a brat . U always told me to go play i. Traffic.you bought my first pair of diamond earrings n took me bummin when I was little n to the bars and everyone I was your niece . You will always b loved n thought of I have tears in my eyes u meant a lot to me . I love you aunt Gwen the best bartender n the meanest she would kick your ass !!!
Gwen, we’ve been friends since grade school. We had so much fun, especially beating the teachers in the yearly softball game. You graduated and I was lost for a second. I was very fortunate to continue to run into you in our adult lives. I was very fortunate to have known you as a friend. You will be missed đ
Sorry to hear of your passing, I remember sitting with you in the Long School’s cafeteria eating lunch & you made me laugh so hard I had milk come out my nose. I’m glad I got to run into you at Circle K. Love you my friend. Glad you’re at peace.
Gwen was such a special person with a big laugh and a bigger heart. My own mother was able to spend her last years with us in St. Louis thanks to Gwen’s generosity, patience and that sense of humor. She believed this all has to make sense somehow. Thank you love. You will always be missed at our table.
Rest in peace, Gwen.
So many fun times and memories looking for trouble.
You will assuredly be missed by many. St Louis will never be the same
Gwen, im too lucky to be able to call you my godmother. You were always more of an aunt to me than all my mother’s sisters. You have always been good to my mother and I will always be grateful for that. Im glad I got the chance to see you in the hospital and tell you that part of you was what helped make me a good uncle to my sisters kids. You taught me how to be loving but still not put up with any crap. I smile when I think about the times I made you laugh. You are the toughest woman I ever met but at the same time, to the people who you loved you were just a big teddy bear. I regret not seeing you as much as I should have but you understood I was needed by these kids. Your memory and your stories will live on forever. I am glad you’re not in pain anymore and I will love you forever. You mean alot to me and you always will. I truly believe you fixed a few things for me as you transitioned because I cant explain how a few major headaches I had to deal with just disappeared. I know it was you and I want to say thank you. Thank you for always loving me! There is no one else like you Gwen. Ill miss you and I will always talk to you on your birthday because I know it hurts your feelings when I dont tell you happy birthday. RIP
We werenât related by blood, but we were sisters! You were such a big part of our families lives from being my maid of honor to being Aunt Gwen to our boys. You were always there when ever I needed you. Thereâs a big hole in my heart I feel will never heal, but I will try. Iâm glad that youâre not in pain anymore, but I miss you dearly.