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We are saying goodbye to a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister. Gwen Pendergraff, 84, of San Antonio, TX, passed away peacefully at her home on May 10, 2026. She was born in New Orleans, LA on June 26, 1941, to her parents Ceyrelia Marie Hall and Theodore (Teddy) Heitzmann. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1959 and married the love of her life, Wilbon “Wayne” Pendergraff in Nov 21st, 1959. Wife of a military man, she traveled to Mississippi, Alaska, Florida, and found a home in Texas in 1969. She raised four children: Brian Pendergraff, Hope Pendergraff Monaco, Gay Pendergraff Lavoie, and Blaine Pendergraff. While attending college, she fostered a love for teaching, beginning as a favorite substitute teacher to many. She graduated from UTSA in 1989, Summa Cum Laude, and started her remarkable teaching career at Northside ISD in August 1989 through 2006. She loved to play Scrabble, Words With Friends, outsmart the contestants on her favorite shows-- Jeopardy! & Wheel of Fortune, read romance and mystery novels, and spend time with their lifelong friends, the Don Crook family. Gwen is survived by her dedicated husband, Wayne, of 67 years, 4 children, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, to whom she was lovingly known as “Nana.” She is survived by one sister, Colleen Kneip Brady, and one brother, Wayne Heitzmann, and preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, Shelby Toxie Hall. Gwen was a devout Christian, sprinkling her love of the Lord in every interaction with her students, her family, and anyone she met. She lived an accomplished life. She prided herself in making the best desserts, and her cooking will be missed. She had a green thumb, and kept endless plants throughout her tidy home, amidst her massive cow collection. Nana will be reunited with her sweet companion dog, Sugar, in Heaven. The family hopes her loved ones can join them in celebrating her life for the following events: Tues, May 19th at 4pm-6pm, the visitation, followed by the vigil and rosary at 6pm, at The Mission Park Funeral Chapel in San Antonio, 20900 IH10 W. Wed, May 20th at 10:30 am Funeral Mass at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church. The address is 6907 Kitchner Rd, San Antonio, 78240. The procession will follow to Mission Burial Park North, where Gwen will be laid to rest.

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Gwendolyn "Gwen" Ann Pendergraff

June 26, 1941 - May 10, 2026